NEW DELHI: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges in the country to furnish “updated records” of all student suicide or unnatural deaths in their institutes.
The Commission also asked them to “take necessary and time-bound steps for filling up vacant teaching, non-teaching and key administrative posts.”
Stressing that these two issues should be treated as ”most urgent" and to be "accorded top priority,” the public notice, issued on August 23, said the colleges should submit an Action Taken Report (ATR), duly certified by the Head of the Institution, in the enclosed Reporting Format to the NMC @antiragging@nmc.org.in by the end of every month.
The NMC, which regulates medical education in the country, issued the public notice following the directions of the Supreme Court.
The notice follows earlier circular, dated March 9, where it had sought data collection on student suicides/unnatural deaths and faculty and administrative positions.
The notice said the medical institutions should maintain and periodically furnish updated information relating to student suicides/unnatural deaths, sanctioned and filled faculty positions, vacancies, recruitment status, and key administrative positions.
The public notice by NMC Secretary Dr. Raghav Langer further said that the Union Education Ministry had also issued a office memorandum, dated June 15 and subsequent letter July 30, requesting that all regulatory bodies should ensure strict compliance with the directions of the apex court.
The Education Ministry has also requested that institutions maintain updated records and relevant data, as the matter is presently sub-judice before the SC. The ministry said that the apex court could ask for an ATR on compliance at any stage.
The notice said keeping in mind the binding directions of the Supreme Court, all medical colleges and medical institutions under the purview of the NMC are thus advised to take immediate time-bound action.
Dr Langer said that the information received from the institutions will be consolidated by the NMC for monitoring compliance with the directions of the SC and for submission to the Education Ministry as and when required.
In its order in January 16, the SC had directed the centre and states for prompt reporting of suicides by students in higher educational institutions. The order came following rising suicide cases by students in universities.