Finish works by March 31 or face action, GMC officials told

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 16

Medical Education Minister OP Soni today directed the authorities of the Government Medical College (GMC) to finish the ongoing developmental works in time or face action.

Clerical staff protest, lock main gate

Following a protest by the clerical staff at the entry gate of the medical college, OP Soni was ‘miffed’ with the authorities for not handling them well. The protesters reportedly locked the main gate as a mark of protest. The Patiala police, led by SP Hundal, intervened and helped the minister enter the college from another gate.

The minister issued the warning to all the officials concerned of the Public Works Department (PWD), Punjab Health System Corporation (PSHC) and other departments.

Soni reminded the authorities of the March 31 deadline to complete all the ongoing works. He said, “I will visit the college a day or two before the deadline, and if I find any work incomplete, the official concerned will face the consequences.”

In the meeting with the stakeholders, the minister said the Chief Minister wanted to bring back the lost sheen of the GMC and Government Rajindra Hospital. Therefore, no laxity would be tolerated.

When The Tribune inspected a few ongoing developmental works at the GMC on Tuesday, it found that nothing substantial had changed on the ground since the minister’s last visit on December 22.

The new multi-storey institute building, which was lying non-functional for around three years, is still at the same stage. The minister said, “The work is on. We have given six months to complete the building.”

Dr Rajan Singla, principal, GMC, said, “The deadline is for minor renovation works at the college and hospital. The big developmental works, including the institute building and multi-level parking at the Rajindra hospital, will take time because there are no funds to speed up the work.”