MCI, Centre told to take necessary steps for MBBS degree recognition of 2016 batch of Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences

Kolkata: In the matter of the 2016 batch of MBBS students of Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences (Gouri Devi Medical College), the Calcutta High Court has directed the medical college to ensure that the medical students, who are now in their fourth year are able to complete their course and to obtain their degree with adequate clinical experience.

The court further directed the Medical Council of India (MCI) to issue a necessary recommendation towards the recognition of their degrees in favour of the medicos and forward the proposal for recognition of their degree to the Central Government.

"Thereafter, the Central Government should take appropriate steps, in accordance with the law on the basis of the recommendation of MCI" the court added.

The direction came following a batch of petitions moved by the MBBS students of Gouri Devi Medical College who took admissions in the year 2016 and since then allegedly suffered over various issues pertinent to administrative technicalities in relation with MCI recognition.

Elaboration on the issue, the petitioner's counsel submitted that due to lack of infrastructural facilities an order was passed by the Under Secretary to the Government of India on the basis of the recommendation by the MCI directing the said Institute not to admit students in the MBBS courses in the academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.

With the medical college being denied permission for the subsequent batches, the students of 2016 batch went to court fearing for their degree recognition and alleging that the medical college authorities are not holding proper classes

In an earlier hearing, the Calcutta High Court directed the authorities of the Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences to conduct regular classes for the batch of MBBS students who took admissions in 2016. The court further directed the Medical Council of India (MCI) counsel to apprise it as to whether proper classes are being conducted by the institute.

Also Read: Make sure Gouri Medical College holds proper classes for MBBS students: Calcutta High Court directs MCI

Now, for the final hearing, the matter of classes being regularly held was once again brought to the court's notice.

However, the institute denied the contention of the petitioners that regular classes are not being conducted by the medical college stating that "the Institute is functioning and regular classes are being conducted and the petitioners have not been prejudiced in any manner whatsoever."

Commenting on the issue, MCI submitted that the petitioners have not been affected in any manner by its earlier order. The petitioners can continue their classes in the said Institute and complete the course. The counsel appearing for MCI added;

"In the event, the petitioners complete their course successfully, MCI would issue a necessary recommendation in their favour and forward the proposal for recognition of their degrees to the Central Government."

Responding to the submission made by MCI, the student's counsel stated that adequate protection needs to be extended to the medicos since even after successful completion of the course they may be treated as students having passed out from an unrecognized institute.

After hearing the contentions, Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty noted,

"Indisputably, the order dated 9th June 2017 pertains to fresh admission in the academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. The said order does not prejudice the petitioners in any manner since they have been already been admitted in the said Institute, in accordance with the law and have been allowed to pursue their studies. Continuance of the petitioners in the said course, however, needs to be ensured by the respondents."

The court subsequently disposed of the plea and held;

"...the said Institute is directed to ensure that the petitioners are able to complete their course and to obtain their degree with adequate clinical experience."

"Upon successful completion of such course, the MCI shall issue a necessary recommendation in favour of the petitioners and forward the proposal for recognition of their degree to the Central Government. The Central Government shall thereafter take appropriate steps, in accordance with the law on the basis of the recommendation of MCI."

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