Six doctors fined for challenging AFMC's Rs 25 lakh service bond
TNN | Apr 7, 2019, 08.25 AM IST
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on six doctors who had challenged the rule that required them to execute a Rs 25 lakh bond during admissions to post-graduate medical admissions at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune (AFMC). The rule said that the doctors would have to pay a bond of Rs 25 lakh if they are unwilling to serve in the Short Service Commission of Armed Forces Medical Services for five years after they complete their course.
A division bench of Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Dama Naidu pointed out that the doctors who had filed the petition were admitted to their courses in 2014-2015 academic year but had filed the petitions in 2017. "After undergoing the courses and getting complete qualification, now they have woken up from the slumber and realized that an illegality was committed by AFMC. The college has imposed a condition so that the huge amount spent on education is not wasted and students are required to serve the nation or pay the amount as a part of reimbursement towards the costs spent by public exchequer," said the judges. The court ruled that they did not find any illegality in AFMC's approach. The bench asked the doctors to deposit the amount within 10 days with Pune-based Cipla Cancer & Aids Foundation or face contempt proceedings.
Advcate Rui Rodrigues, counsel for AFMC, said that the medical education of the students was subsidised by the state in lieu of which they were expected to render their services back to the defence forces.
The doctors claimed that the information brochure had said the bond was of Rs 5 lakh. However at the time of admissions, they were informed that the bond was Rs 25 lakh. The petitioners contended that in all state- and Centre-run medical colleges, the bond is deferred if the student wants to undertake further studies like a super-specialty course. The AFMC does not allow any such concession to civilian students who want to pursue higher studies, which the petitions claimed were discriminatory.
TNN | Apr 7, 2019, 08.25 AM IST
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on six doctors who had challenged the rule that required them to execute a Rs 25 lakh bond during admissions to post-graduate medical admissions at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune (AFMC). The rule said that the doctors would have to pay a bond of Rs 25 lakh if they are unwilling to serve in the Short Service Commission of Armed Forces Medical Services for five years after they complete their course.
A division bench of Justice Bhushan Gavai and Justice Dama Naidu pointed out that the doctors who had filed the petition were admitted to their courses in 2014-2015 academic year but had filed the petitions in 2017. "After undergoing the courses and getting complete qualification, now they have woken up from the slumber and realized that an illegality was committed by AFMC. The college has imposed a condition so that the huge amount spent on education is not wasted and students are required to serve the nation or pay the amount as a part of reimbursement towards the costs spent by public exchequer," said the judges. The court ruled that they did not find any illegality in AFMC's approach. The bench asked the doctors to deposit the amount within 10 days with Pune-based Cipla Cancer & Aids Foundation or face contempt proceedings.
Advcate Rui Rodrigues, counsel for AFMC, said that the medical education of the students was subsidised by the state in lieu of which they were expected to render their services back to the defence forces.
The doctors claimed that the information brochure had said the bond was of Rs 5 lakh. However at the time of admissions, they were informed that the bond was Rs 25 lakh. The petitioners contended that in all state- and Centre-run medical colleges, the bond is deferred if the student wants to undertake further studies like a super-specialty course. The AFMC does not allow any such concession to civilian students who want to pursue higher studies, which the petitions claimed were discriminatory.
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