Classes Suspended at Gian Sagar Medical College as faculty on strike

Patiala: 600 MBBS and Dental Sciences students of Gian Sagar Medical College in Banur are undergoing academic losses, due to the faculty and para medical staff being on strike over non payment of dues since October, last year. The protest began on February 1, 2017.

A similar situation was witnessed last year, when the faculty staged a protest for three months over the issue of salary delays, causing grievous harm to medical and dental students of the college.

Last year, a truce was reached between the management and the state government after the former cleared staff dues and promised the government that it would practice better financial management. However, the faculty of the college has complained that matters have yet to improve. The college had also given a written undertaking last year to the state government about opening a separate fund of student’s tuition fee, which would be directed towards paying faulty salaries. A faculty member who preferred anonymity revealed that the college hospital was the worst affected, as routine test facility was also not available.

“More than teachers, the students are suffering despite paying a huge fee,” said a teacher. “We are on protest since February 1 and the management is not bothered about it,” he added.

The protesting faculty has approached both the state government and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences to intervene and find a permanent solution now.

College Dean Dr AS Sekhon said, “The ongoing situation is a pity for both students and faculty. I don’t have an answer to why the college’s financial position is bad. Only the management can answer.”

College Chief Executive, Manish Jakhar, however, said that the management would not let the problem spill over like last year. “We will certainly pay the salaries in the coming week,” he told HT.

A parent of one of the students, reacted saying “It is the high time the government took over the institution or shifted our wards, as students can’t be made the scapegoat in this matter.”

State Director, Medical Education and Research, Dr Sujata Sharma, said that she would look into the issue.