BENGALURU: The state government has agreed in principle to take over the ESIC Medical College in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, and the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Kalaburagi.
Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil told reporters here on Wednesday that the government recently received a proposal from ESIC on handing over the institutes along with the associated assets.
However, ESIC has put forth certain conditions, including reimbursing its investments on the two institutes, Patil said, adding that the financial burden on the state government would be around Rs 600 crore.
He said the Medical Education Department would start the takeover process after approval from the Finance Department.
While the Centre has agreed to bear half of ESIC’s investment on infrastructure of the Bengaluru college, the state government would bear the entire investment on the Kalaburagi college and hospital, he said.
ESIC has been running the medical colleges which have an intake of 100 seats each.
The minister pleaded ignorance of the reasons behind ESIC’s exit, saying it had sent similar proposals to all state governments.
‘ESIC Playing With Students’ Future’
Sounding a cautious note, physician Dr Mallahari Rao Malle of Kalaburagi said it would be difficult for the state government to run the ESIC medical colleges.
“Already the new government medical colleges are facing problems. Every year, MCI (Medical Council of India) withholds permission to continue these colleges, pointing out drawbacks. And every year, the government does patch up and takes permission after the commencement of the academic year. Moreover, the government has planned to open a medical college at Kalaburagi. Can it run two medical colleges efficiently?” Dr Malle asked.
It would be unfair to the students of ESIC medical college, said second batch student of Kalaburagi ESIC medical college Nagraj Punshetty. “We got admission to this college with high hopes, but are now disappointed. The state government would not be able to fulfil our aspirations,” Nagraj added.
CPM state committee member Maruti Manpade said ESIC is playing with students’ future. “Can the state government provide high standard education to these students?” he asked.
Cancer Centres in Dists on the Cards
On the proposal to set up five super speciality hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore each in four revenue divisions, Patil said the issue is expected to come up for approval at the next cabinet meeting. The Centre has assured of financial assistance for the proposed hospitals in Ballari and Hubballi, and the state government would bear the entire cost of hospitals at Belagavi, Mysuru and Kalaburagi, he said. Patil said the state government has received Rs 90 crore from the Centre following the upgrade of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, to Regional Cancer Centre. The government is planning to set up cancer treatment centres at Karwar, Raichur and Kalaburagi.