The Odisha government has introduced the system of signing a bond for all the students seeking admission to government medical colleges. They will be required to take up jobs in government hospitals at least for two years after passing out.

In a notification, the government said that there is a dearth of doctors in Odisha and there is a reluctance to serve in the state after completion of course among doctors studying in different government medical/dental colleges at the cost of the exchequer.

“To overcome the dearth, the government after careful consideration has modified the existing policy for the execution of an agreement in the shape of a bond to retain the passing out doctors to utilise their services in the greater interest of the state.”

The notification said the bond shall apply to all candidates taking admission in government medical colleges either under the state quota or all-India quota in different medical streams.

“No admission of any kind shall be done without the submission of bond and shall be ensured by DMET, Odisha,” the notification said.

In case a candidate gets the opportunity for higher studies after completion of the course, the bond ceases to operate and will come into force after he returns. The penalty for defaulters will be double the amount of the stipend or salary received till the date of leaving the course.