DEADLINE ENDS, NO REPLY TO GOVERNMENT NOTICE

CHANDIGARH: A week’s deadline to the management of Banur-based Gian Sagar Medical College to respond the state government’s show-cause notice ended on Monday.

With the management failing to respond to the notice, the government is left with no option but to cancel all permissions granted to the collage, said sources. An official said while the matter to shift 1,500 students will soon placed before the chief minister office for approval, the government was keeping an eye on the Punjab and Haryana high court proceedings in the case.

“If the court orders shifting of students in subsequent hearings, it will be easier for us to take up the matter with the Medical Council of India. But it does not mean that the state is not free to take an independent decision. We are sensitive about the matter and expect a final decision at the earliest,” said the official.

Meanwhile, Varinder Kumar, who claims to be the new trustee to the college, said salaries were being distributed among the staff.

The lower-rung staff has already been given two months’ salary and the dues of the MBBS and BDS wings’ staff will be cleared by Thursday, he said.

To this, the protesting staff said against the liability of nearly ₹20 crore, the staff has been paid only ₹20 lakh.

On not choosing to reply to the government notice, Varinder said backing out of BJP leader Swaran Salaria diverted their focus towards the revival plan. “But now we are hoping of some breakthrough and will accordingly reply to the government in the next few days,” he said.

Meanwhile, the protest by the college staff entered fourth month on Monday. On February 1, the staff had announced indefinite protest against the college management for not clearing their dues.