The State Government has so far not succeeded in facilitating the consistent and efficient functioning of the Srinagar medical college in Pauri district. Since the resignation of the last person deputed to the post of the medical college principal a few days ago, the State administration has accorded Pauri district magistrate Chandra Shekhar Bhatt the additional charge of the medical college principal till the appointment of a full time principal.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the recent past, the State Government had relieved Professor IS Yog from the post of acting principal of the Srinagar medical college on February 10.
The State accorded responsibility of the the principal’s post to Professor RC Purohit of the Government medical college in Haldwani. However, rather than assuming charge of the medical college principal, Purohit tendered his resignation on February 11.
According to reliable official sources, the State administration had earlier approached senior professors to fill the post but they refused to take the responsibility. While others were found unsuitable for the post due to over-age, the remaining professors could not be considered for the position as they are employed on contractual basis.
Finally, the State Government took the decision to accord the Pauri district magistrate Chandra Shekhar Bhatt the additional charge of the Srinagar medical college. Bhatt assumed his additional charge of the medical college’s officiating principal on February 19. Talking to The Pioneer, Bhatt said that the principal’s office had been locked and keys to all official vehicles have been handed over to the medical superintendent.
The medical superintendent has been informed that the principal’s office will not be opened without permission and misuse of the official vehicles should be prevented. It should be mentioned here that since it was established in 2008, the medical college principal has been changed more than half a dozen times so far.
Observers point out that contrary to claims made by the State Government, the condition of the Srinagar medical college is yet to come on the proper track. The functioning of this institution has been affected detrimentally by various factors.