Delayed, MCI rejects Gondia GMC proposal

NAGPUR: In yet another glaring example of sheer apathy towards Vidarbha by the Maharashtra government, the much-hyped Government Medical College in Gondia would not become a reality from this academic session as the state failed to send the proposal for inviting Medical Council of India (MCI) inspection within the deadline.
Congress MLA from Gondia, Gopaldas Agrawal, filed a PIL through his counsel Jugalkishor Gilda against his own government.Agrawal has contended that due to the state government’s indifference, about 100 poor and deserving students from this part of the state would lose a chance to pursue the coveted medical courses. He prayed for directives to the MCI and Union health ministry to reconsider the Gondia GMC proposal.
A division bench comprising Justices Bhushan Gavai and Sunil Shukre on Wednesday issued notices to the Union health ministry, MCI and state medical education department asking them to file a reply within two weeks. The court also adjourned hearing on the Akola GMC and other cases till next week while granting time to the state to file a reply.
Gilda said the MCI had set a deadline of February 19 for the state government to complete all formalities to establish a GMC and invite it for inspection. The apex body for medical education even dispatched a letter to the government in this regard. Ironically, the letter kept moving from one department to other for over one and half months, which resulted in precious time loss.
When it finally reached the Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER), it drafted the proposal of informing that about 10 hectare of Zudpi jungle land had been allotted for the GMC at Kudwa and earmarked Rs189 crore for the project. Even a dean was appointed to comply with the MCI’s tough conditions.
Later, a government resolution (GR) was issued on April 30 in this regard. However, MCI rejected the proposal during its executive body meeting citing its earlier deadline for the inspection.
Gilda, also the advocate general of Chhattisgarh, added that chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had written to Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on May 16 appealing to him to consider the Gondia GMC proposal.