After being
over worked and underpaid, the super specialty post graduates of the Bangalore Medical College are suing the Karnataka state government for exploitation. These students are forced to work more than 100 hrs a week, performing crucial tasks, at many times running the show, and are paid a measly stipend of 30,000 rupees per month.

Colleges are showing super specialty PG students as full time employees/senior residents to the Medical Council of India (MCI). However, ironically, these students are not provided the pay, perks or emoluments which a senior resident doctor (post MD/MS) receives by working under the state govt.

All of these go against the central government residency scheme, which requires the following:

• Senior residents should be treated as temporary government servants and governed by the Central Civil Service (Temporary Service) Rules, 1965.
• Senior residents are entitled to leave on par with temporary government servants.
• Working hours of 48 hrs/week and continuous active duty will not exceed 12 hours.
• Subject to one weekly holiday to be allowed by rotation.

This sad state of affairs is not limited to the super specialty PGs in BMC. Post graduate students all over the country in various government and private medical colleges are being exploited in a similar manner. They are forced to work long hours, provided poor facilities and no holidays, all for a very small pay.

It’s about time that the medical colleges realize that doctors have put up with this sad state of affairs so far only out of compassion towards patients and the joy of learning. However, doctors are getting frustrated and fed up with things. This bold legal step by these few brave students of BMC may just herald a new order where students will henceforth take decisive measures and be proactive against their exploitation.

Also read, how the Assam govt is punishing doctors for refusing bonded servitude

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