Gian Sagar Medical College facing Closure?

Punjab: The Management of Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur has been directed by the government of the state to furnish a concrete plan of action on the means to be employed to clear financial liabilities. The college faculty’s protest over non-payment of salaries has entered its 35^th day on Tuesday.

With the paramedics having joined hands with the faculty from February 1 over pending wages since October, 2016, the students have been left out in the cold, forcing them to stage protests outside the managements office.

The State’s Medical Education Secretary, Vikas Pratap revealed that Manish Jakhar, the Chief Executive Officer of GSMC had been summoned for a meeting on Tuesday. They have been given a clear directive to come with an appropriate time schedule, for clearance of staff salaries by the college, along with other liabilities, such as electricity bills.

“Hopefully the management lists out its priorities in a scheduled meeting on Wednesday. In case they fail to spell out a plan, we will have to initiate action under the state rules,” he said.

Sources disclosed that the government plans to cancel the essential certificate required for opening a college, granted to the institution in 2006. This in other terms would imply closure.

“We are trying to pressure the management into improving the college’s financial handling, as it will be very difficult to adjust the students in other medical colleges if the college is shut down,” said another state official, preferring to stay anonymous. “But if nothing works, we will be forced to take a tough call in the next couple of days,” added the official.

As the government and college authorities appear embroiled in procedures and settlement negotiations, students seem to be growing restless over the issue of suspended classes.Classes were suspended for three months on similar grounds last year, as well.

“We will be forced to go on hunger strike if our classes are not resumed at the earliest,” said a student. “We chose to become doctors so we could serve, not suffer,” he remarked.

First year students, seem to be particularly worried about the oncoming May exams. “Classes are suspended for over a month now and there are no patients in the hospital,” revealed another student to the HT.