Shifting of dental college triggers controversy

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, April 18

Shifting of a dental college from Muktsar to Mandi Gobindgarh has stirred a controversy. After Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) strongly objected to this ‘self-directed’ decision of the dental college, the Department of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Punjab, and the Dental Council of India (DCI) has informed the college that this shifting of the students and college was not as per rules.

Rather, the BFUHS has issued a public notice, saying that all students admitted in the college in the post graduate (PG) courses shall be in the domain of the medical university for all purposes.

The controversy began when Desh Bhagat Dental College and Hospital (DBDCH), Muktsar, announced shifting of its location from Muktsar to Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district some days ago.

The college is affiliated to BFUHS for the past many years. However, in 2012, when the Punjab Government announced the establishment of Desh Bhagat University (DBU) at Mandi Gobindgarh, the DBU wanted the affiliation of this dental college at Muktsar under its command.

However, as per the DCI and MCI guidelines, a college outside 5-km radius of a private university cannot have its affiliation. So, giving DBU’s affiliation to DBDCH was not possible till the college was situated in Muktsar.

After many attempts to get its affiliation shifted from BFUHS to DBU, the DBDCH decided to shift its campus to Mandi Gobindgarh.

Some days ago, the principal of DBDCH informed the BFUHS that the college was going to start classes of all its dental courses on its new premises at Mandi Gobindgarh. The university brought this shifting of the college venue into the notice of DMER, Punjab, and DCI also.

The DMER informed the college that shifting the students and colleges was not as per the rules. If any problem arises with this shifting, the college would be responsible for its unapproved act. The DCI also asked the college authorities to approach the Government of India for the change of university along with requisite documents.

Dr Raj Bahadur, VC, BFUHS, said before a college is shifted, it needs to take prior approval of the BFUHS and receive “No Objection Certificate” from the state government also.