– Reshma Ravishanker

After several days of outcry by MBBS graduates in Karnataka, the government has finally granted permission to those who studied in government-quota seats to register with the Karnataka Medical Council (KMC) prior to completion of their mandatory one-year rural service.

However, the relief comes with a rider that they would be entitled to do so only when they submit an affidavit that they would comply with the mandatory rural service requirement when they get their appointments. A decision is yet to be taken on non-government quota seat graduates.

It may be recollected that the Karnataka government, in February, amended a rule mandating one-year rural service for all medical graduates irrespective of the quota under which they studied. While graduates who wish to study no further must serve in government allotted posts in rural areas, those pursuing higher education must sign a bond as an assurance to finish their rural service term later. Should they fail to complete it later, they will have to cough up a fine of Rs 30-50 lakh to the government.

Over the last few days, MBBS graduates across the state had voiced their angst over medical colleges withholding their documents as uncertainty clouded the mandatory rural service appointments.

On February 15, the directorate of medical education had issued a circular to medical colleges across Karnataka that documents of students must not be released unless they comply with the mandatory rural service rules. The government, however, failed to release the specifics about their posting, leaving medical graduates in limbo. 

Officials in the department of medical education said that the registration has been allowed with the condition that they will have to complete their rural service later. There were representations from the student fraternity that since the delay of allotment of rural service has been from the government’s end, the time taken till an order is issued must be waived. Director of Medical Education Dr. P G Girish denied any such lenience and said that the government has been focused on Covid-19 control measures and hence the delay.

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