Chandigarh: GSMC, Patiala wears a deserted look with exams round the corner

Chandigarh: Gian Sagar Medical College(GSMC), Patiala wears a deserted look as students teachers and employees have gradually started deserting it . The pending issue of non payment of staff salaries for more than six months continues to stand unresolved. The staff has not been paid and 1600 students are to face the brunt of it. The examinations are coming on and most of the classes remain suspended, teaching disrupted and class rooms empty.

The students and their parents seek a permanent solution. There is a big lock hanging outside all facilities which include: pharmacy, outpatient department (OPD), emergency, classrooms, and the mess. The hostel has been deserted by the students; a trickle of employees are witnessed on the college premises. Water and electricity connections have been snapped, due to bill non payments, as well.

MBBS first-year student said, "We need urgent classes. We are more than 40 days behind schedule already, and it will affect our scores in the examinations".Medical student regret the suspension of teaching with the exam round the corner and a lot of teaching remaining.

Another student pointed out, "The college makes Rs 5 lakh a year from each government quota seat and Rs 11 lakh from every management-quota spot but still plays with our career. Nothing is out of the government's jurisdiction, if it has the will to help us. If it can make laws to curb traffic offence and murder, why can't it shift us".

Last year in July, hundreds of students & parents had joined the teachers in demanding the sacking of the college management and the moving of students to other colleges to avoid disruption of study.

In March 2016, Pathankot's Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital's (CMCH), student fraternity had made a similar shift of college appeal, alongside their parents. 141 students were adjusted in eight medical colleges .

75% attendance makes many students eligible to appear for examinations. Gurpreet Singh, whose son studies in Gian Sagar college told the TOI, "The state government should intervene to either shift the students or takeover the college administration."

The college students have written to the Ministry of Human Resource and Development(MoHRD), and the Medical Council of India, at the behest of their seniors, about the situation, pleading intervention by them

Meanwhile,members of the college staff said they would not resume duty unless they get salaries till March and an assurance of smooth functioning in the future.

Read also: Patiala: Students of Gian Sagar Medical College, Patiala to stage a dharna