THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even after getting recognition for the first batch of MBBS course, the Government Medical College at Paripally, Kollam, is in the eye of a storm with the government stating to have acted on time for getting the Letter of Permission (LOP) and Kollam MP N K Premachandran claiming the LOP was obtained based on his recommendations.
Though there were reports the MCI had given recognition, it was the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs that had actually given the nod for starting the new MBBS batch at the medical college with strict conditions. The state government should, within 15 days, give an undertaking all deficiencies have been rectified. The Ministry said the college will be debarred for two years commencing 2018-19 if the undertaking is not given and if the compliance is found incomplete in the inspection.
Though the state government said it had taken all initiatives for getting the LOP, Premachandran alleged the college could have got the recognition much earlier if the government had taken the right initiative.
Noting the government had done everything from the time it assumed office, Health Minister K K Shylaja said it was only because of the government’s strong intervention the seats have now been allotted. She said there was a propaganda from various quarters, including the local MP, that the government had not taken any initiative.
“How could one believe the seats were sanctioned because of a letter from an MP. The government has created 390 new posts for the medical college, which includes 108 faculty and 282 nursing and paramedical staff. In the beginning, when the Medical College was taken over, it did not have any facility,” she said.
Shylaja said they were not aware why the MCI had rejected the application several times though all the documents and compliance report were furnished. After the MCI rejected the application, the matter was brought before the Lodha Committee. “Even on the last day of sanctioning of seats, I had called Union Health Minister to make sure the state got the seats,” she said.
Noting the government’s claim that the LOP was given by the MCI was against facts, Premachandran said it was the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs that had given the LOP. After the LOP was rejected by the MCI, an application was submitted before the Lodha Committee that was to take a final decision regarding the seats, he said.
Based on the request, the Lodha Committee asked the Health Ministry to submit the proposal. The Lodha Committee had decided to give the LoP on the application of the state government as part of the recommendations, he said.
Stating there was a purposeful delay on the part of the government, Premachandran said the government had failed to file the compliance report and remit the inspection fee when the MCI took up the application. As such the MCI rejected the application and the Lodha Committee had to be approached, he said.