WB to bring 20 percent Domicile quota for MBBS, BDS students

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently stated that her government will make amendments to domicile law for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in the state medical colleges to overcome the doctor shortage in the state pointing out that students from outside Bengal often leave the state after graduating.

The CM said her government would amend laws for providing 20% domicile quota to Bengal students in the state medical colleges.

Banerjee said that a large number of students are working as interns in medical colleges and hospitals, who are not well versed in the local language. "I think this system should change. Earlier, we used to have more locals studying, but now, there are more students from outside the state, who do not have much idea about the language and cannot communicate with the patients," she told reporters at the state-run SSKM hospital.

The chief minister said the proposed amendments will allow the entry of 20 per cent more local students in the medical stream. "... We will do that and I have given such instructions," Banerjee said.

She was at the SSKM hospital to take stock of the situation at the facility, as regular services have been disrupted following agitation by junior doctors.

"The state government spends Rs 25 lakh on every student to make him/her a doctor... And, then after becoming a doctor, they sign a bond for two to three years and leave the state once that period is complete," Banerjee added.

Speaking to TOI, an official said that the new rule will prevent students, who have not studied continuously (for a decade at least) in Bengal, from studying MBBS here. He added that the Bengal government made 30% reservation of seats for the students domiciled in the state for WBNUJS and on that lines, the 20% domicile quota will be implemented for MBBS and BDS seats.

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