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2021 Supreme(HP) 993

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA
Mohammad Rafiq, CJ., Sabina, J.
Chander Shekhar, Son Of Sh. Nek Ram & Ors. - Appellant
Vs.
State Of Himachal Pradesh Through Principal Secretary (Health) To The Government Of
Himachal Pradesh, Shimla & Ors. - Respondent
Letters Patent Appeal Nos.67, 68, 136, 140 to 143 of 2021, Civil Writ Petition Nos. 6504, 6534 & 6956 of 2021
Decided On : 24-11-2021

Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant :Sh. Neeraj K. Shamra, Sh. Dilip Sharma And Sh. Shrawan Dogra, Senior Advocates With Sh. Manish Sharma, And Sh. Bharat Thakur, Advs.
For the Respondent:Sh. Ajay Vaidya, Senior Additional Advocate General, Sh. B.C. Negi, Senior Adv. With Mr. Nitin Thakur, Sh. Parvesh Negi, Advs.

Headnote:(A) State of Himachal Pradesh - Post Graduation/Super Specialty Policy - Compulsory bonds for admission to medical courses - Petitioners challenged the requirement to execute bonds mandating service after post-graduation, citing precedent cases - Supreme Court upheld such bonds stating they do not violate rights under Article 19 and 21, emphasizing the importance of public service from medical professionals (Paras 5, 7, 9, 18, 40-41).

(B) Jurisdiction of State - The State has the authority to impose conditions on educational assistance to ensure the fulfillment of healthcare needs (Paras 23, 24).

(C) Reasonableness - The bond conditions are not inherently unreasonable or in restraint of profession, aligning with public welfare and service requirements. (Paras 19, 37-39).

Facts of the case:
The appellants, General Duty Officers and direct candidates, disputed the enforceability of compulsory service bonds related to medical education, following earlier Supreme Court rulings asserting that states could impose such requirements for educational sponsorship (Paras 2, 5, and 8).

Findings of Court:
The court ruled in favor of the State, reaffirming the validity of bond execution and mandatory service conditions for sponsored post-graduate courses and super-specialty medical training (Paras 6, 32, 33).

Issues: The key issues included the legitimacy of compulsory bonding conditions and their compatibility with professional rights and healthcare needs of the state (Paras 12, 18, 26).

Ratio Decidendi: The court maintained that bonds are a valid mechanism for the state to secure necessary medical professionals and do not violate legal provisions governing personal service contracts (Paras 40, 41).

Result: Appeals allowed; prior rulings overturning the bond requirements were reversed. Writ petitions dismissed.

Table of Content
1. compulsory bonds for medical course admission. (Para 2 , 3)
2. (Para 4 , 11 , 12)
3. challenging mandatory bond conditions. (Para 5 , 7)
4. supreme court's view on bond reasonableness. (Para 6 , 8 , 19)
5. state's need for policy adjustments. (Para 9 , 10 , 18 , 21)

JUDGMENT :

1. Vide this judgement, above mentioned Letters Patent Appeals as well as writ petitions, would be disposed of as the issue involved in all these cases is the same.

2. The issue involved in all these cases relates to compulsory bonds to be executed for admission to Post Graduate Medical Courses and Super Specialty Courses. Writ petitions were filed by the petitioners challenging the mandatory provisions of service provided under Clauses 6.1 and 11.1.2 of the Post Graduation/Super Specialty Policy for Regulating Admission to various Post Graduation and Super Specialty Courses in Medical Education 2019, applicable in the State of Himachal Pradesh (hereinafter referred to as PG/Super Specialty Policy).

3. The undisputed facts, relevant for adjudication of the case, are that seven Government Medical Colleges and one private medical college in the State impart medical education. State of Himachal Pradesh has formulated the PG/Super Specialty Policy for regulating admission to various post graduation and super specialty courses in medical education. Incentive has been provided to the doctors for pursuing post graduation within the State as well as outside the State. Sponsorship has also been provided by the State to the desirous General Duty Officers (GDOs), who want to pursue post graduation or super specialty courses, within the State or outside the State. Similarly, direct candidates have also been provided the facility of sponsorship to pursue post graduation or super specialty courses, within the State or outside the State. Earlier, a policy had been framed by the State vide Notification dated 3rd October, 2017. So far as the policy dated 3rd October, 2017 is concerned, the same reads as under:

    “Government of Himachal Pradesh

    Department of Medical Education

    File No: HFW-B(F)4-9/2017 dated: Shimla the 03/10/2017

    Notification

    In continuation of this Department’s Notification No.: HFW- B(B(14-3/2009-Loose dated 20.03.2017 the Governor, Himachal Pradesh is pleased to notify a policy for sponsoring General Duty Officers for doing PG(MD/MS) Degree/Diploma & Master Courses outside the State as per the ANNEXURE –‘A’.

    The Governor, Himachal Pradesh in suppression of all previous Policies notified for sponsoring GDOs for doing Super specialty DM/MCh Courses, DNB Courses within and outside the State is pleased to notify a fresh policy in this behalf as per the ANNEXURE-‘B’ and ANNEXURE-‘C’.

    By order,

    (Onkar C. Sharma)

    Principal Secretary (Health) to the

    Government of Himachal Pradesh

    Endst. No.: As above dated: Shimla-2, the 03/10/2017 Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to:-

    1. The Special Secretary (GAD) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh w.r.t. item No.-156, Cabinet meeting dated 18.09.2017.

    2. The Deputy Secretary (Health) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

    3. The Director Health Services, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9.

    4. Director, Medical Education and Research, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9.

    5. Director, Dental Health Services, Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9.

    6. The Principal, IGMC, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

    7. The Principal, Dr. RPGMC, Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh

    8. The Principal, Dr. YSPGMC, Sirmour at Nahan, Himachal Pradesh

    9. The Principal, Pt. JLNGMC, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

    10. The Principal, Sh. LBSGMC, Ner Chowk, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

    11. The Principal, HP Government Dental College, Shimla-1.

    12. File No.:HFW-B(B)14-3/2009-Loose w.r.t. this Department’s Notification dated 20.03.2017. The original file number of this Notification is HFW-B(B)12-4/2013-I(Loose).

    13. Guard File.

    (Pankaj Rai)

    Special Secretary (Health) to the

    Government of Himachal Pradesh

    ANNEXURE-‘A’

    POLICY FOR PURSUING PST GRADUATE (MD/MS) DEGREE/DIPLOMA AND MASTER COURSES OUTSIDE

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