The fate of six renowned medical colleges hang in balance as the Medical Council of India (MCI) has asked the Union health ministry to derecognise them after the regulatory body observed serious irregularities in these colleges. In a recent letter to the health ministry, the MCI has recommended the central government for initiating the action for withdrawal of Letter of Permission (LoP) and recognition granted to these colleges.
Sources disclosed that Santosh Medical college, Ghaziabad, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida (Sharda University), Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, SGT medical college, Gurgaon, Rama medical college, Hapur and Subharati medical college, Meerut, are under the scanner.
Showcause notices were sent to these colleges in 2011 following complaints about inadequate faculty and facilities in these colleges. The MCI recently decided to recommend the ministry for their de-recognition after the council observed serious irregularities in terms of not having adequate faculty and infrastructure facilities as per the requirement laid down by the MCI.
“The board of governors (BoG) in their meeting held last year directed the vigilance department to obtain the salary statements signed by the bank authorities in order to ascertain the factual position with regard to the faculty strength and infrastructural available in these medical colleges. The council observed serious irregularities being committed by these medical colleges in a routine manner,” said the minutes of the recent meeting held by the BoG, adding, “the BoG unanimously decided to recommend to the Central government initiating the action for withdrawal of LOP/ recognition to these colleges,” it added.
Speaking to this newspaper, Dr Pratibha Gupta, principal, dean, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida (Sharda University) said that there is no truth about it. On the other hand, Mr Balaram, administrator of Santosh medical college, said that they have already approached the court regarding the matter.
“The high court has put a stay on this matter,” he said.
The health ministry officials say that they are examining the issue and will soon take the decision.