Rules for NRI doctors relaxed

New Delhi: In a relief to 65 years and above doctors who have gone to study abroad and do not wish to come back to India, the government has decided to issue “No obligation to return to India” (NORI) certificates — a practice which was stopped during the UPA regime.

The Union government had, in 2013, put a restriction for doctors who go abroad and never return back by stopping to issue NORI certificates to them. However, in relaxation of these guidelines, the health ministry decided to issue the certificates to applicants who are above the age of 65.

Significantly, no NORI certificate had been issued by the health and family welfare ministry during 2012-13 till November 2014.

Any doctor going to US for higher medical studies will have to submit a duly attested surety bond of Rs 5 lakhs before leaving and honour the document by returning to India after finishing the study period.