Bond Penalty Hiked to Rs 10 Lakh: MBBS Students cry Foul

Panaji: The hike in bond amount mandated to be paid by MBBS students while joining a government medical college in Goa has erupted a major uproar in the state.

The state has hiked the bond amount to be paid at the time of admission at the Goa Medical College and Hospital from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, reports PTI.

Goa unit of National Students Union of India (NSUI) has come ahead alleging that Goa Government was not serious over withdrawal of circular demanding Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh as bank guarantee from medical students in the state and demanded that issue must be solved soon.

Addressing a press conference at the party state headquarters in the city, National Students Union of India (NSUI) Goa unit president Ahraj Mulla said, ''Goa Medical College has demanded bank guarantee of Rs five lakh and Rs ten lakh from the students. We had requested State Chief Minister to find a solution to the issue and do away with bank guarantee. But unfortunately, there is not even a single statement on the issue of the chief minister. Chief Minister, who is also holding education portfolio is not serious about education. He is not ready to talk on certain issues,'' he said.

He said workers of an alliance partner of the government was serious over the issue and raised its voice. However, he did not name the alliance partner.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said no local student will be left out of the process for his inability to furnish such bond.

Sawant said the government was trying to find out a solution to help parents furnish the bond.

"But no Goan student would be denied admission because he is not able to furnish the bond. We are working out various options to help parents fulfill the criterion," the chief minister said.

Refusing to roll back the hike, the CM said higher amounts are being charged by neighbouring states for the same courses.

He said the students have been asked to furnish the bond to ensure that they don't leave the education midway and also undertake compulsory postings in rural areas after completion of the course.