MBBS students seek withdrawal of Haryana’s bond-cum-loan policy

The MBBS students of the state's medical colleges have appealed to the Haryana Government as well as Opposition leaders to withdraw the bond-cum-loan policy in the larger interest of the students.

Addressing newsmen on the premises of PGIMS-Rohtak on Tuesday, representatives of the Joint Action Committee of MBBS Students of All Government and Aided Medical Colleges, Haryana, demanded complete withdrawal of the policy.

“This policy, introduced by the state government’s Medical Education Department on December 21, 2022, burdens top-ranking National Eligibility-cum-Entrance-Test students with loans,” said Pankaj Bitthu, a spokesperson of the committee.

The MBBS students pointed out that IDBI Bank provided loans amounting to Rs 25 lakh to boy students and Rs 23 lakh to girl students, which was unacceptable to them.

“The meritorious students, who have secured top ranks in the NEET, are forced to bear the enormous burden of loans, leading to mental and financial distress,” the students lamented, adding that no other state had such a policy.

They stated that the top-ranking students were forced to seek admissions in the medical colleges of other states due to this unjust policy of the Haryana Government.

“This policy would have an adverse impact on the healthcare services of Haryana in the long run as meritorious students are opting for colleges in other states,” the medicos added.

They appealed to all political parties of the state to include their demand in their manifestos and repeal the policy on coming to power.