PUNJAB GOVT SETS IN MOTION PROCESS TO CLOSE GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE

ISSUES SHOWCAUSE NOTICE, GIVES MANAGEMENT A WEEK’S TIME TO SAVE COLLEGE

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Monday issued a showcase notice to the management of Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur, setting in motion the procedure to shut it down.

The notice that carries a week’s deadline asks the management to respond why essentiality certificates that were issued to set up the college and starting its medical, dental and nursing courses should not be withdrawn following reports of deficiencies in college functioning .

“The department of medical education and research will cancel all permissions to the college if the management fails to give satisfactory reply within a week,” the notice read.

A five-page notice, the copy of which is with HT, states that the government made several efforts to revive the college, but in vain despite a written undertaking by college managing trustee Harsatinder Singh that dues of faculty and staff will be cleared soon.

The college was allowed permission for running MBBS course in 2006 (with 100 students per year) and other courses at a later stage on a premise that it will create infrastructure and take care of its financial position under the regulations framed by Medical Council of India. But there was complete mismanagement of the finances generated from the students’ fee and hospital revenue in the college. The college has to clear a liability of ₹108 crore.

The government is not expecting Gian Sagar’s revival at this stage since all negotiations with the management failed. The situation has not improved even after BJP leader Swarn Salaria joining the management since his assurance to clear staff dues by April 23 did not materialise.

The college currently has strength of 1,500 students (500 each in medical, dental and nursing streams) who will be shifted to other colleges once all permissions are withdrawn.