Karnataka: Doctors have to serve in state’s rural areas for one year

BENGALURU: The state government’s move to get doctors to serve in rural areas for one year, through a Bill, has been approved by President Pranab Mukherjee. Medical education minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil told the media here on Wednesday that the government would hold back graduation certificates till they complete one year of rural service.

The Bill which was passed in both Houses of legislature in 2012 has removed the penalty clause for those failing to complete one year rural service. Earlier, to encourage doctors to work in rural areas for one year, the government had included a penalty of Rs 10 lakhs. However, most candidates preferred to cough up the penalty.

On completion of the course and one year internship, graduates would be posted to hospitals in the rural areas. This would bring down the government’s problem for recruiting doctors for rural areas. They would be replaced by the next batch of fresh graduates, Dr Patil added.

The government, however, would not force students to do the one year stint in rural areas in case they secure seats in post-graduate courses. On completion of higher education, they would be asked to serve in a rural hospital, he added.