IGGMCH gets 40 seats back, admission to be made today
By Vikas Vaidya
Like past several years, Medical Council of India (MCI) has once again showed mercy to Nagpur’s Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) and gave recognition to increased 40 seats. Dr Pravin Shingare, Director of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra State has confirmed this development while talking to The Hitavada. Earlier as usual, MCI on notice had reduced intake of IGGMCH to 60 seats from original intake of 100 seats.
But everybody was so confident that eventually MCI would restore the curtailed 40 seats, that this time no special efforts were being made to honour the solemn commitment given to High Court and Union Health Ministry during last couple of years.
According to sources, IGGMCH Dean Dr Prakash Wakode and Director of Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Research Dr Pravin Shingare took efforts and personally went to Delhi and requested the authorities to get back the seats. On Wednesday, August 22, Dr Shingare himself had been to Delhi and talked to authorities at MCI and finally the 40 seats have been restored.
Dr Shingare said, “We got the recognition for 40 increased seats for IGGMCH and we will start filling up these many seats from Saturday. I am happy with the development.”
According to sources, IGGMCH was supposed to submit undertaking by Chief Secretary, along with compliance report regarding removal of deficiencies pointed out by MCI, by June 30. But it was submitted on July 8. In normal procedure, the compliance report and undertaking should be submitted before June 30 to MCI, which is then forwarded to Central government. The Centre then sends it back to MCI, which is conveyed to concerned state government by July 15. But in this particular case, the submission was delayed, for the reasons best known to authorities.
MCI in its inspection report had pointed out several deficiencies regarding inadequate infrastructure, shabby buildings, large number of vacancies of teaching and non-teaching staff and shortage of modern equipment etc.
The sword is hanging on IGGMCH since 2004 when Dilip Walse-Patil was Minister of Medical Education. Then a 300 crore modernisation plan was announced that would have changed the face of IGGMCH. But the modernisation plan never progressed beyond paper announcements and precious little was done in last eight years.
Walse-Patil’s successors Rajesh Tope and present incumbent Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit also failed to give momentum to IGGMCH modernisation. Last year he declared an integrated plan for IGGMCH and assured in assembly to a question raised by Devendra Fadnavis that the project would be completed within three months but nothing has materialised so far.
Former Minister Anees Ahmed- who represented Central Nagpur where IGGMCH is located- had raised this issue many times in the past along with Fadnavis and other legislators, but their efforts to move authorities yielded little dividend.
Government always blamed deans for the slow progress which was not the case. Everytime deans managed the things on their level and IGGMCH kept getting back 40 seats on the assurance that situation would improve. Timely help from Dr Vedprakash Mishra who was then a MCI member helped a lot to get the seats back so that Vidarbha students have a chance to pursue career in medicine. Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court through timely judicial intervention saved the day for Vidarbha region, despite abysmal track record by political leadership.
IGGMCH administration under the leadership of Dr Prakash Wakode, Dean on its level tried best as it began projects like multiutility building and girls hostel for 100 students, but it could not placate MCI. As per new MCI rules college departments require space, well-equipped library, equipment and other things which could not be provided right now.
IGGMC was basically started with intake capacity of 60. Later it was increased from 60 seats to 100 seats in the year 1997, however the government was directed to improve the facilities for additional intake capacity. The story starts here as IGGMC started getting renewal for additional 40 seats till 2001, without doing anything. But IGGMC never honoured its promise and assurances given during its renewal. Since last eight years, MCI scraps 40 seats citing IGGMC’s failure to remove deficiencies. Somehow, the State Government and IGGMCH are successful in restoring the seats since last 15 years.
-----Box--------
How many renewals does IGGMC needs for 40 seats
The question is being raised as to how many times this old college should get renewal for 40 seats?
The college basically started with intake capacity of 60. Later it was increased from 60 seats to 100 seats in the year 1997, however the government was directed to improve the facilities for additional intake capacity. The story starts here as IGGMC is started getting renewal for additional 40 seats till 2001. It was ok there as MCI in routine gives renewal for five years. But IGGMC has never sticked to its promises and assurance given during its renewal.
Since 1997, IGGMC enjoyed not one but 15 renewals. The authorities and Government became habitual that whether they improve the condition or not, the renewal is there. It is learnt that this time MCI might take tough stand. If 40 seats are scrapped then it would be great loss for Vidarbha.
Out of 100 seats at IGGMC, 30 seats are reserved for outside Nagpur students including all India quota students, while remaining 70 seats were kept for Nagpur students.
According to one MCI member, it would be disastrous for future of IGGMCH and students of Vidarbha region, if the situation persists. MCI may permanently reduce the intake capacity of IGGMCH by 40 seats which would not only defeat the purpose of medical education in Vidarbha but also degrade the image of the institution as a whole.
Comments
Post a Comment