14 incidents of ragging reported in medical colleges

A total of 14 incidents of ragging have been reported in various medical colleges of the country in 2015-16 while there have been two deaths due to such incidents, the Lok Sabha was informed.

"Number of cases reported or received by the Medical Council of India (MCI) for ragging during the last three years are 23 in 2013-14, 21 in 2014-15 and 14 in 2015-16. Two cases of death have also been reported," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply.

The MCI with the approval of the government notified the Medical Council of India (Prevention and Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges/Institutions) Regulations 2009 to curb the menace of ragging in medical colleges, he said.

Nadda said that the MCI has also created an anti-ragging cell headed by a nodal officer to look after the work relating to anti-ragging cases while executive committee members are deputed to enquire into the ragging cases in different colleges.

"MCI has requested (through a circular) all the medical colleges to provide information before starting the fresh batch (2015-16) of admissions W.R.T anti-ragging committee compositions, number of incidences of ragging reported and action taken, number of FIRs lodged and punishment awarded.

"It had also asked to include specific information on anti-ragging in admission brochures, prospectus and booklets.

"MCI has also forwarded the format of the poster and hoardings provided by the University Grants Commission to be placed in different parts of the colleges in front of the administration building and each hostel of the institute," Nadda said.

He said that to further broaden the definition of ragging and the scope of the application of "prevention and prohibition of ragging in medical colleges and Institutions regulations 2009", the same has been amended recently on March 23 this year.