Gian Sagar Medical College management summoned by government, to end stalemate

Patiala: The Management of Gian Sagar Medical College, Banur have been called for a meeting by the state Government, as classes at the dental and medical wings of the college have remained suspended since February 1. The issue for suspension of classes stands as non payment of salaries to the Teachers and paramedics staff at the college since October, 2016. The suspension of classes is reported to be leading to grievous harm to 600 students of the college. The affiliated college hospital also wears a forlorn look, affecting the practical training of students.

Student representatives who met the State Director, Medical Education and Research, Dr. Sujata Sharma, expressed concern about the first year batch, which had to appear for their exams in May.

A similar fate was met by students last year, as well, when classes had been suspended for three months when the teachers went on strike for salary delays.

The college is governed by family members of Pearls Group boss Nirmal Singh Bhangoo, who currently faces several charges in a Rs 45,000-crore ponzi scheme scam.

Secretary, Medical Education, Vikas Pratap said that the department will ensure that students don't suffer again, due to the strife between the faculty and the management.

"The management has been called for a meeting to end the current deadlock and also finding a permanent solution to the college's financial crisis. Faculty and students will also attend the meeting."

"We will scrutinize whether the management fulfilled assurances of last year,"he added.

The faculty allege that the management has not kept up promises made last year about starting a separate fund of student tuition fee, that would be used to pay staff salaries on a regular basis.

"We have no idea where the management is taking the crores being collected from students. It is better if the government takes over its financial matters," told an anonymous protester to the HT.

A final-year MBBS student of the college, Akashdeep Singh, said, "We want a permanent solution to this issue as we can't tolerate our classes being suspended time and again."