MCI chief held for payoff,34 medical colleges in limbo

A total 79 medical colleges countrywide are understood to be currently awaiting the MCI’s final decision on their status. Forty-five colleges have received an initial thumbs-down,but even the 34 that have got preliminary approval need to receive the Council’s final recommendation.

These decisions — on setting up new colleges,or starting new courses or increasing seats in existing ones — are supposed to be made by May 15,so that admissions for the new academic year can begin in June.

“The MCI makes recommendations after carrying out inspections. The government acts on the recommendations and gives clearance,” said an official in the Health Ministry.

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad washed his hands of the entire episode. “Let me tell you that this organisation,Medical Council of India,has a separate identity. It has its own identity under an Act of Parliament,” Azad said. “Neither we appoint him (the MCI president) nor can we remove him. It (the MCI) is an elected body and its office bearers are elected by its state units,” he added.