Foundation stone laid in 2017, Bhiwani medical college yet to take off

Pt Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College at Bhiwani, the foundation stone of which was laid in July 2017 by the then CM, Manohar Lal Khattar, is yet to take off.

The medical college was slated to be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the state, but it could not be done due to the lack of requisite approvals.

As per sources, the inauguration could not take place due to various reasons, including the non-issuance of the building plan approval from the Department of Urban Local Bodies, lack of fire-safety clearance, non-commissioning of lifts, operating theatres and other essential services/facilities.

The buildings of the college are ready, but not functional owing to the unavailability of adequate faculty members-cum-consultants, non-installation of equipment and other procedural delays.

Efforts are on to start MBBS classes at the medical college from the upcoming academic session, but whether the authorities are able to do so remains to be seen. "Instead of making regular recruitment, the state authorities are hiring doctors on contract. However, very few doctors have joined due to the contractual nature of the job and not-so-lucrative remuneration being offered," claimed sources.

As of now, HCMS doctors have been deputed to serve as faculty members/consultants and senior resident doctors.

The officiating director of the college, Dr SK Singhal, said the medical college would start admitting students from the coming academic session and all-out efforts were being made in that direction.

Asked why the inauguration by the Prime Minister was put off, Dr Singhal said the plan was dropped at the last moment. He, however, expressed ignorance about the reason behind the deferment. "I was given charge of the director of the Bhiwani medical college only a few days ago, as Prof Geeta Gathwala, who has been holding the charge for over a year, is currently abroad," he stated.