Staff hiring incomplete, Mohali medical college yet to begin operations

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 8

Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, a government medical college in Mohali, is once again likely to remain a non-starter. Reason: The government has failed to complete the process of faculty recruitment for the college.

As a result, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has not granted the Letter of Permission (LOP) to the college till now. However, it has been learnt that there is still a chance to start the college as the MCI had communicated via its website that it had approached the Supreme Court to extend the last date of grant of LOP from March 31 to October 15 for the academic year 2020-21.

However, in its notification pertaining to the MBBS admissions, the Punjab Government had mentioned only three government medical colleges — GMC, Patiala and Amritsar, and Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot.

The government had invited applications for 30 posts from faculty working in the Central government and state medical colleges situated outside the state. However, a source said the initiative received a poor response. One of the reasons behind the delay was applicants having an issue with the eligibility criteria. Dr Manjit Kaur Mohi, director principal, BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical sciences, said, “The recruitment of staff is underway. We have not received the LOP, but we have enough time as the date has been extended till October 15.”

Dr Akashdeep, joint director, Research and Medical Education, said: “Some faculty members have already been recruited and the process will be completed soon. We can’t give an assurance, but the government is fully committed to start the college from this session.”

Meanwhile, DK Tiwari, Principal Secretary, Medical Education and Research, couldn’t be reached despite repeated attempts.