Maha cabinet proposes quota for medical students who promise to serve in rural areas

Np News 24 Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has proposed to introduce a 10 per cent and 20 per cent quota in the MBBS and PG medical courses for the students who agree to serve in rural areas after passing out.

The move was taken as there is scarcity of doctors serving in rural and remote areas in the State.
The State cabinet recently decided to introduce the `Maharashtra Designation of Certain Seats in Government and Municipal Corporations Medical Colleges’ Bill in the coming Assembly session (which would be after the elections).

The Bill proposes to reserve 10 and 20 per cent seats in MBBS and post-graduation medical courses, respectively, for candidates who undertake to serve in government-run hospitals in remote and rural areas.

“If the commitment is broken, however, the student should face severe consequences such as imprisonment apart from cancellation of the degree,” the proposal says. Right now, medical students have to submit a bond that they would serve in rural areas upon passing out. But the rule is not really implemented.

“The proposed bill, with its stringent clauses, will provide the State with sufficient number of doctors in rural areas. At present, supply of skilled doctors in rural and remote areas is inadequate,” said an official of the State Medical Education Department.