Karnataka - Belgaum   

MCI decision on medical colleges disappoints people

Staff Correspondent

Belgaum's chances were floored because of a procedural lapse

BELGAUM: Reports of the Medical Council of India turning down the applications of the Government to start new medical colleges in Belgaum, Bidar, Mandya, Hassan and Raichur have disappointed the people of the border areas, particularly Belgaum.

A couple of months ago, the Government, through a Cabinet decision, had decided to start six new medical colleges as a measure to correct regional imbalances in education and to aid socio-economic growth in the backward areas.

Significantly, the decision to start the medical college in Belgaum was taken by the Government itself as there was no proposal or request from the district.

It was thus obvious for the people of the district to feel good. Subsequently, the district in charge Minister, Prakash B. Hukkeri, followed up the matter.

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, laid the foundation stone for the college in Belgaum on the district hospital premises.

The Government sanctioned 100 seats to each college under the seat matrix early last month. The Government also sanctioned Rs. 21 crores to create infrastructure for the college in Belgaum.

The new college was named Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) and a principal was also appointed. The district administration is clearing some old structures and evacuating families staying in them.

Meanwhile, the Government appointed a 15-member committee, headed by Medical Education Minister with the in charge Ministers concerned as co-chairpersons, for expeditiously creating infrastructure for the new medical colleges.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu here on Monday that there was ready and better infrastructure in Belgaum, though the Government has sanctioned funds to create infrastructure. Initially, it has been decided to start MBBS programme in three disciplines in Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. A two-member team of the Medical Council of India had visited the college in the first week of June.

However, the sources said the district administration had not received any communication either from the Medical Council of India or the Government on the application being rejected for the new college in Belgaum.

While pointing out that the lack of full-fledged infrastructure could be the reason for the application being rejected, the sources said that it could have been due to a procedural lapse.

As per procedure, the Government should have submitted a Letter of Intent before seeking permission to run the college.

As far as Belgaum is concerned, this procedure was ignored and instead an application seeking permission to start the new medical college was made to the Medical Council of India.

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MCI decision on medical colleges disappoints people

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