The Government Rajindra Medical College and Hospital here is likely to get a grant of Rs 60 crore from the Union government by the end of this year.
The financial assistance from the government, under its policy to upgrade the medical colleges, may turn out a boon for the college management as it will help them to improve facilities before inspection by the
Medical Council of India.
However, the MCI has already sent a communication regarding the surprise inspection of medical colleges prior to allowing increase in seats of different courses for the 2015-16 session.
It may be mentioned here that last year, the MCI's postgraduate and undergraduate medical education committees had denied increase of seats in doctor of medicine (MD), master of surgery (MS) and bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS) courses in the medical college, since it found several anomalies and lack of facilities in all departments of the college.
As per available information, in order to get the grant at the earliest, , senior officials of the health department, accompanied by college authorities, presented a detailed presentation before the technical evaluation committee of MCI in New Delhi on November 12, regarding proposed utilisation of the grant to improve facilities and infrastructure in the college.
The grant is part of a decision of the central government in January regarding increase of 50 seats to the existing 150 in the college. However, the college is yet to get formal allocation of seats.
The funding of the grant of Rs 60 crore will be shared on the 70:30 pattern by the Centre and the state government, respectively.
The grant is part of a decision of the central government in January regarding increase of 50 seats to the existing 150 in the college. However, the college is yet to get formal allocation of seats.
The funding of the grant of Rs 60 crore will be shared on the 70:30 pattern by the Centre and the state government, respectively.
In the presentation, the college proposed that Rs 50 crore will be spent on improving infrastructure that included two lecture halls, six central research laboratories, a well-furnished library and a demonstration room and maintenance of hostels.
Besides, Rs 10 crore has been proposed to upgrade equipments in the hospital and the college.
"The presentation went well as officials concerned have come up with a positive response and we are hopeful to get the grant bh the end of the year," said an official.
Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts, Husan Lal, secretary medical education and research, could not be contacted.
College principal Dr KD Singh refused to divulge details but only said "We have made a presentation and the final decision will be taken by MCI officials."
During the last year's inspection, the MCI teams had found poor academic and research atmosphere in the medical college, ill-equipped libraries, laboratories, no central research labs, no equipment for autopsy and lack of other basic infrastructure in several departments.