Again, MCI raises objections to govt proposal to increase MBBS seats

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 10

Again the Medical Council of India (MCI) has raised objections to the government’s proposal to increase seats of MBBS students at Government Medical College here citing shortage of staff and infrastructure.

A four-member MCI team had conducted an inspection of the college in the first week of December last year.

However, the college authorities were hopeful to persuade MCI officials to recommend the proposal on the basis of their inspection. The college authorities stated that the MCI had raised a few minor objections that would be overcome in a short time.

College principal Dr BS Bal said: “We would look into whatever objections have been raised by the MCI team. These are of minor kind and hopefully the MCI will find the college eligible for consideration for increase of seats.

Government Medical College here has been vying to get seats of MBBS students increased for the past more than five years. However, during these years, the MCI had raised objections and the college had failed to get the desired approval from it.

It has declined Government Medical College’s proposal to increase MBBS seats to 200. The college authorities state that they would approach again to satisfy the MCI. The MCI had stated that infrastructure and manpower at the college were not sufficient.

Sources at the college stated that a meeting of officials of the college and the medical education department had been called for Monday to discuss the issue.

“The most crucial issue is the shortage of manpower. A large number of seats of faculty are lying vacant at present,” said a senior doctor, adding that the vacant posts should be filled before inviting the MCI for another inspection.