No decision yet on proposal for three medical colleges

Updated on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Uncertainty prevails over the setting up of three government-run medical colleges in the state as the crucial file for the allocation of over Rs 300 crore and creation of new posts is gathering dust in chief minister (CM) Prithviraj Chavan’s office since November 30, 2010.

In the first week of October 2010, the medical education department (MED), led by senior NCP leader Vijaykumar Gavit, submitted a comprehensive proposal to the then chief minister Ashok Chavan for setting up the colleges in Mumbai (GT Hospital), Nandurbar (Gavit’s hometown) and Alibaug (which is in irrigation minister Sunil Tatkare’s hometown Raigad).

Gavit, a medical professor-turned politician, had submitted that for setting up a 100-seat medical college, Rs 100 crore and 52 posts—five professors, 17 associate professors, 18 lecturers and 12 senior residents—would be required for each medical college. Since it was presumed that Chavan would grant permission to place the proposal before the cabinet, the MED submitted the proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI) as well to start all three colleges from the ensuing academic session.

But in the wake of the multi-crore Adarsh scam, Ashok Chavan was replaced by Prithviraj Chavan, who returned all files to the concerned departments with a brief note that in view of the change of guard, the departments should submit the proposals afresh.

Accordingly, on November 30, the MED submitted a fresh proposal on the medical colleges with the expectation that since no politics was involved in the matter, the new chief minister would approve it quickly. “We felt that since we would get an additional 300 MBBS seats, the proposal would be approved. But there was no response from the CM’s office,” a senior NCP minister said.

The MED also proposed a change in norms for granting non-private practicing allowance (NPA) to doctors and enhancement of remuneration for medical teachers, who are appointed on contract. As per the rules, a medical teacher can obtain 35 per cent of his basic salary as NPA; but there is a ceiling of Rs 45, 000. “In view of the change in the salary structure following the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission, the MED proposed that the ceiling should be increased to Rs 85, 000. Otherwise, despite a salary hike, a teacher would not be eligible for more than Rs 35, 000,” the minister said.

No decision yet on proposal for three medical colleges

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