HC upholds MCI decision,PIMS can’t admit students

MCI had cancelled permission for PIMS to admit any student for the session 2013-14 under Section 10(A) of the MCI Act due to non-fulfillment of requisite infrastructure. MCI had conducted an inspection of the institute in March. PIMS then moved the high court against the MCI decision,which was shot down on Monday. The institute,however,had already started formalities for admission and issued advertisements in newspapers over the past couple of days seeking applications from aspirants. According to the advertisements,the counselling was scheduled for 3.00 pm September 30.

Sources at PIMS said the authorities were hopeful that a decision would come in their favour. They had started preparations so that admissions could begin immediately after the court verdict.

Dr Kulbir Kaur,director-principal of PIMS,did not answer calls from The Indian Express. A senior officer at PIMS said,“The advertisement was given because the last date of admission was September 30.”

According to the norms,PIMS cannot conduct counselling. It is done by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences,Faridkot,to which PIMS is affiliated. PIMS had so far admitted two batches since 2011. Since last year,the institute has been facing a financial crisis. It was unable to pay its power bill and power supply was disconnected five times. Banks from which PIMS took loans are on the verge of declaring it a defaulter. Strikes by paramedical staff and doctors have become routine due to non-payment of salaries.

PIMS has 150 seats including 65 per cent government quota,35 per cent management and 15 per cent NRI quota. The fee for government seats was recently raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh,for management from Rs 4 lakh to 6 lakh and for NRI quota from Rs 45 lakh to 65 lakh annually.

It was learnt that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had already met the Fortis Hospital management on September 4 and asked them to take over PIMS.

PIMS was the first MBBS college in the Doaba region. It had a good beginning but,due to lack of government interest,the facilities are gradually being closed down,said sources.

PIMS was embroiled in controversy after the SAD-BJP government allotted a sprawling complex worth crores of rupees on a 99-year lease at “throwaway prices” for running a hospital and medical college. The complex was headed by Rural Development Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra.

with inputs from Chandigarh