Medical education dept to knock CM’S door for financial clearances

Proposed college on the verge of missing session to start classes for want of funds

CHANDIGARH: Left high and dry over delay in financial sanctions to start classes at the medical college coming up in Mohali, the medical education department has now decided to take up the issue with the chief minister’s office as a last ditch effort to start the session this year.

The setting up of the college was announced by the Capt Amarinder government in its first budget.

“There are some forces in the finance department which, we don’t know why, are trying to scuttle the classes. The medical education department has now decided to take up the issue with the chief minister, seeking his intervention to ensure that the classes start from the coming session,” a senior health department functionary told HT on the condition of anonymity.

HT had reported how the delay on finance department’s part in giving a green signal to recruit staff and renovate the building at Civil Hospital complex in Mohali was likely to push the MBBS classes to next year.

The medical education department official privy with the developments also claimed that due to the current situation, the inspection by the Medical Council of India (MCI) has been held up.

The state has to share the cost of the college with the Centre in a 40:60 ratio and it is learnt that the Centre has conveyed to the government that its share of ₹115 crore has been sanctioned.

THE STATE HAS TO

SHARE THE COST OF THE COLLEGE WITH CENTRE IN A 40:60 RATIO; CENTRE HAS CONVEYED TO THE GOVT THAT ITS SHARE OF ₹115 CR HAS BEEN SANCTIONED

“Finance department only has to give us the green signal for hiring faculty initially and the money involved is not huge. Major share of the state will be adjusted automatically in the form of land and the building of the Punjab health systems corporation and civil hospital we are providing. We are seeking urgent intervention of the CM because still we have a chance to invite MCI for the inspection in February,” the officer of the medical education disclosed.

An eminent medical education functionary, however, described the delay as a sorry state of affairs.

“To start a college you need only six teachers with two each in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and a principal. The infrastructure is already there. It’s a shame on finance department that has delayed the sanctions as well as the medical education department, which has not followed up the case strongly,” he said.

Medical education minister Brahm Mohindra refused to comment and said his department was making every effort to start the classes from the coming session.

As per a proposal prepared by the Punjab medical education department to the MCI, the government was to seek permission for 100 MBBS seats in the first year.

Meanwhile, former deputy speaker Bir Devinder Singh has accused chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh of creating obstacles and delaying the classes.

“Ironically, the state government has no dearth of resources when it has to finance the extravagant construction of a superficial barrage in the Shivalik foothills to protect the private holidaying sojourn of the chief minister. But when it comes to releasing the committed grant for the Government Medical College, Mohali, the coffers of the feudal finance minister of the state becomes empty?” he Bir Devinder said.