The fate of some big medical colleges seems to hang in balance as the Medical Council of India (MCI) has sent showcause notice to them following complaints of violation of norms.
The regulatory body has asked the administration of these colleges to give explanation within a stipulated time, failing which permission letter to continue the college could be revoked.
According to sources in the MCI, showcause notices have been sent to National Institute of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Muzaffarnagar Medical college, Muzaffarnagar, Teerthankar Medical College, Moradabad, and People’s College of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, following complaints from the investigating agencies. “If the explanation given by the officials of these colleges is not accepted by the MCI, permission letter could be revoked,” sources said. This could mean a big blow for the reputation of the college as well as the career students studying in these colleges.
The action has been taken on one of the renowned and old medical colleges — NIMS, following a complaint from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) which found that the college showed fake staff and patients during assessment of the college for extension of permission for another year. “The complaint by the CVC suggested that even the designation of doctors was wrongly projected,” sources added. Meanwhile, the college has applied for 20 new courses to be started this year.
The other colleges, like Teerthankar Medical College, Jaipur, and Muzaffarnagar Medical College have been sent the notice based on the report of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which suggested that these colleges showed fake patients and fake faculty during the time of assessment.
In case of People’ Medical College in Bhopal, it was found that the college had admitted more students than the sanctioned intake. “There were over 90 more students than the sanctioned intake for UG courses. It is a sheer case of violation of norms. The college will have to give explanation regarding their case,” sources said.