Odisha government on August 16 revised the bond policy for doctors completing their post- graduation and super speciality courses in state-run medical colleges, effecting a multifold rise in the penalty amount.

Health and Family Welfare Minister N K Das said the government has decided to hike the penalty to the tune of Rs 1.14 crore-Rs 1.64 crore. "We have decided to increase the amount of penalty from Rs 36 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore for medical PG and Rs 2 crore for super speciality students, who leave the state after completing the courses here," Das told reporters here.

The decision was taken in the wake of a majority of students leaving the state after completing their post- graduation, he said. The revised policy will come into force from this academic year. "Odisha has been spending huge amount of money for each student, and they should serve the state for at least two years," Das said.

He said the government has already made it mandatory for all students of state-run medical colleges to practice in the state for a minimum of two years. The bond policy is compulsory for all candidates taking admission in government medical colleges, either under state quota or the all-India quota, and in postgraduate medical or dental courses.

Odisha has seven state-run medical colleges, out of which three have post-graduate and super speciality courses. The policy, however, lapses on its own if the state government fails to provide employment to a candidate within six months of completing the course, officials said.

At present, about 4,000 posts at different levels have been lying vacant due to shortage of medical personnel, they said. The minister also said the Odisha government may soon take a decision to increase the retirement age of doctors in medical colleges from 68 years to 70 years.