SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 24: The Jharkhand government has deferred its earlier order directing the deputation of PG-bond Senior Residents from medical colleges to district sadar hospitals. The decision will remain in effect until further notice.
A notification issued by Joint Secretary Lalit Mohan Shukla stated that the move was postponed “due to unavoidable reasons” and is effective immediately.
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Background of the Deputation Order
On July 14, the state government had directed 103 PG-bond Senior Residents, currently serving at five medical colleges—MGMMCH Jamshedpur, SMMCH Dhanbad, PJMCH Dumka, SBMCH Hazaribagh, and MMCH Palamu—to be deputed at the sadar hospitals of their respective districts.
All these doctors, from the 2023 PG batch, are completing their mandatory three-year bond service as Senior Residents or Tutors.
NMC’s Rejection and Previous Controversy
In November 2023, 129 PG-bond doctors were sent on deputation to sadar hospitals. However, in August 2024, the National Medical Commission (NMC) rejected this arrangement and directed the health department to recall them to medical colleges.
Despite this, on July 13, 2025, the state government again ordered deputation, sparking strong protests from the Junior Doctors Network (JDN) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).
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Govt Response and Doctors’ Reaction
Following widespread objections, the joint secretary verbally instructed medical college principals on July 16 not to relieve Senior Residents for deputation until further orders. The official notification postponing the order was issued on the evening of July 23.
JDN state chairman Dr. Sushil Kumar, general secretary Dr. Raghvendra Kumar, and FAIMA national co-convener Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary welcomed the government’s decision to put the deputation on hold.
