MCI refuses admissions to Doda medical college

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Doda, June 8

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has refused to give the go-ahead to start classes at the new Government Medical College (GMC), Doda, even as four new medical colleges have been allotted 100 MBBS seats each.

The decision was taken by the MCI after conducting an inspection at the main campus site in Ghat village near Doda and visiting the makeshift campus in the town.

Sources told The Tribune that the MCI team was not satisfied with the pace of construction of the main campus and the recruitment of the requisite teaching faculty and other staff. “They wanted an assurance from the state government that the construction of the main campus will be completed within a year, but nobody came forward with the commitment,” said the sources.

Recently, the MCI had announced allotment of 100 MBBS seats each to four other new medical colleges, comprising Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri and Kathua, but GMC-Doda was put on the waiting list.

“We are still pursuing our case and have requested the Centre to intervene and allot half of the seats this year, so that the college could start functioning. The ball is in government’s court as the MCI alone can’t amend the rules and allot the seats,”said Dr Tariq Azad, GMC-Doda principal.

People of the entire Chenab region, comprising Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, are disappointed with the decision of the MCI to deny MBBS seats to GMC-Doda.

“This institution is an asset for the entire region and not making it functional is a loss to the area. We hope the Centre will look into the request of state government to allot half of the seats this year and full seats next year,” said Riyaz Ahmed, a social worker from the area.

Dissatisfied with pace of work

• Recently, the Medical Council of India (MCI) had announced allotment of 100 MBBS seats each to four new medical colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri and Kathua, but the GMC-Doda was put on the waiting list
• Sources said the MCI team was not satisfied with the pace of construction of the main campus of the college and the recruitment of the requisite teaching faculty and other staff
• “They wanted an assurance from the state government that the construction of the main campus will be completed within a year, but nobody came forward with the commitment,” said the sources