The hope of over 70 medical colleges — private and Government — across the States to get clearance for starting new post-graduate medical courses or increasing seats in existing streams for the academic session 2014-15 has been dashed.
Acting tough, the MCI has turned down the Union Health Ministry’s recommendation to review its decision of not giving clearance to the medical colleges citing shortage of basic facilities, infrastructure and human resources such as teaching staff during the inspection of the medical colleges.
Sources in the MCI said that Karnataka followed by Maharshatra top the list with as many as 19 and 11 medical colleges respectively being refused clearance to start new courses or enhancement of new seats in the existing courses. (See Box)
“Every year, before admitting students into the subsequent year, the MCI conducts an inspection of the colleges to ensure that they have adequate infrastructure and staff. But some of the colleges for the past two-three years failed clarify a number of shortfalls, including the staff shortage as well as the lack of infrastructure.
“Their case has been rejected as per set guidelines of the council. There was no reason to give them clean chit to start the new courses or enhance seats in the existing courses,” the sources added.
In fact, proposals of some of the colleges to start new courses/enhancement of seats were already turned down by the MCI. But under Section 10(A) (4) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, they were given hearing by a panel of the Union Health Ministry.
“In many cases the panel asked the MCI to review its decision. However, refusing to budge in to the Ministry’s request, the MCI maintained it decision to not to give approval to them,” the sources added.