Odisha: Sardar Rajas Medical College Mgt deposits Rs 2 crore on SC’s directive

Odisha: The management of the Sardar Rajas Medical College is reported to have deposited Rs 2 crore in the court. This amount has been deposited in lieu of the monetary compensation to be granted to the 124 students, who had taken admission in the college only to be left in the lurch; after the college failed to gain MCI recognition. Selvam Educational and Charitable Trust owns the Jarring-based Sardar Rajas Medical College (SRMC).

Now, the next hearing the court regarding the matter is scheduled for the second week of August.

MD team had earlier reported that the management of Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital has been issued an ultimatum by the Supreme Court to deposit Rs 2 crore by June 25 (in the court). Failing which, it may have to face dire consequence of a non-bailable warrant (NBW).

The case dates back to a landmark decision taken by the Supreme Court in April this year, in which it noted that students who get admission in medical colleges, only to be left in lurch if the college is not granted an MCI approval, should be monetarily compensated.

Two batches of the Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital, set up by Tamil Nadu-based Selvam Education and Charitable Trust were witness to the unfortunate turn of events; after their college failed to gain MCI recognition this academic year. Though the 124 students admitted in the college were to be shifted to three private medical colleges in the state; however, what unfolded ahead was protests from the students (of private medical colleges).

In an earlier hearing on this case, the SC directed that the amount deposited by Selvam Educational and Charitable Trust with the courts registry will be secured as a short-term fixed deposit in the UCO Bank, Supreme Court Compound, New Delhi.

The Supreme Court had also directed that 124 students should be monetarily compensated, besides being provided all facilities in the medical colleges they were transferred to. The court also sought compliance on the matter in two weeks time.

MCI had earlier given a conditional approval to SRMC for admission of 100 MBBS students in 2013-14. However, the medical college was later denied permission for not complying with MCI norms.

The trust deposited the bank guarantee of Rs 2 crore with the SC Registry following and intimated the court after which a two-judge bench of the apex court on Tuesday decided to hear the case in second week of August, as reported by a local newspaper.

The State Government had given Rs 10 crore and 25 acres to the trust after it signed a MoU with the Western Odisha Development Council for establishment of the college in 2004.