Education mess: Telangana sits on certificates

Hyderabad: Several post graduate medical students have been left in the lurch as doctors claim that the government has withheld their MBBS and MD certificates, not allowing some of them to join super-speciality courses or fellowships.

Junior doctors say that the High Court had given orders to release certificates, and not force post-graduate students to go for rural service, if they were selected for Doctor of Medicine or Master of Chirurgical (MCH). Officials, however, say that they are releasing certificates after the court order.

MD students have to complete one year of rural service but many students have bagged seats in reputed colleges for super-speciality courses. However, junior doctors say the Directorate of Medical Education is asking them to complete rural service first and then go for super speciality. Medical students had approached the High Court, which directed the government to release certificates of those who have got super speciality seats in various colleges.

Students say that while certificates of those from the 2013 batch are being released, certificates of those belonging to 2014 batch are withheld. “The DME has both our MBBS and MD certificates. I have got admission in a college, equivalent to MCH degree, but the DME is not releasing my certificate saying there is no hurry for further education. I have approached the higher authorities and my case is still pending,” said an MD student said on condition of anonymity.

Students say that while they have passed entrance exams for their speciality courses, they can’t do anything without their certificates. “Our certificates are with the DME and we don’t even know when rural service will begin,” another MD student said.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Director of Medical Education, Dr P. Srinivas, said, certificates of all 2013 batch students who got seats in super speciality courses are being released. “The High Court gave an order regarding this and we are releasing all certificates. I have to check the file pertaining to students of 2014 batch.”

He, however, also found fault with students not showing an inclination towards rural service. Another MD student said he had been told by the additional DME Dr Venkatesh to obtain another order from the High Court and get his certificates released.

Rupees 20 lakh bond as surety for medical rural service

The government had brought in a rule for students to furnish a bond of Rs 20 lakh to prevent them from avoiding rural service. However, many parents find it hard to get the papers signed by a Gazetted officer since Rs 20 lakh is a very large amount. Other reputed institutes like the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) require only a value of Rs 5 lakh surety for rural service.

Students in Telangana and AP have to furnish a bond of Rs 15 lakh for MD courses and Rs 20 lakh for MCH or DM courses signed by a Gazetted officer as surety. While students complain that not everyone has contacts in government departments,  officials say that in colleges like AFMC the working conditions and perks during rural service, are high. “If it is just Rs 5 lakhs here, they will easily pay the money and escape,” a TS health department official said.