Chandigarh: MCI threatens to derecognize 23 PG seats at GMCH-32

Chandigarh: The Government Medical College and Hospital,(GMCH) sector 32 is facing the MCI axe,as it has declared its intention of derecognizing 23 postgraduate (MD/MS) seats across 9 of the college departments for existing deficiencies. The college has been asked to submit a compliance report within 4 weeks in order to save itself from this disaster; along with a deposit of Rs 1 lakh by each of the departments found with shortcomings.

The colleges failure, in complying to the above conditions would result in admissions made against increased seats, since 2014, declared illegal.

The jeopardized seats in question include: three MD seats in General Medicine, two MD seats in pulmonary medicine, three MS seats in general surgery, two MD seats in psychiatry , two MD seats in dermatology, five MD seats in orthopaedics, two MD seats in anatomy and ENT department and four MD seats in anaesthesia .

The above count of seats were increased by the MCI in 2014. In May 2017, at the time of the first batch appearing for its final examination, the MCI team conducted a called for inspection, for the final approval, only to find various departments falling short of expectations. The apex education regulator raised objections demanding immediate compliance or face de recognition.

The anatomy department inspection for renewal of seats also faces issues with the Council.

The situation as it stands for the present calls for a one lakh demand draft deposit by deficient departments and compliance within four weeks from the date of dispatch of the MCI Letter(June 15) regarding the same along with a compliance report.

The financial deposit of Rs. 1 Lakh has to be made, if matters have to be taken up by the MCI, any further.

“In case no compliance is received within this period or compliance is found unsatisfactory, it will result in stoppage of admission. Admissions done against these seats after the first batch appeared in the examination, till their recognition will be irregular or illegal. These are not in accordance with MCI regulations and will not be recognised,” mentions the MCI report.

“In case the college authorities fail to satisfy MCI’s conditions, then the degrees of all students, which were admitted against these increased seats since 2014, will be unrecognised by the MCI, ” said an institute professor.

Former Director Principal, Dr Atul Sachdev and current Director Principal (additional) Dr AK Janmeja have been found to be holding multiple positions both in the past and present.

GMCH-32 officials state that Dr Sachdev had given away the Additional charge of Head of Department, General Medicine, to another doctor. However, Dr AK Janmeja, presently continues to hold the additional charge of Director Principal and also heads two departments – Pulmonary Medicine and Gynaecology.

Dr AK Janmeja, Director Principal (additional), GMCH-32, told the HT, “We are making a detailed compliance report and are positive that the seats will get recognition from MCI. It seems there is some miscommunication between MCI and college authorities."