Punjab: Medical Education Minister meets management to resolve crisis

Patiala: The Management of Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur was called in for a meeting with the Medical Education Minister, Brahm Mohindra, to resolve the crisis brewing in the college, due to non payment of staff salaries, The crisis and the resultant strike have taken a toll on the studies of enrolled students.

The teaching and technical staff has been on off work for the past two months for not having been paid their remuneration, for the past six months.

Despite repeated requests and warnings, the management has not been able to release staff payments .

The strike has led to suspension of both classes and medical services, resulting in both students and patients suffering immeasurable losses.

Read Also: Classes Suspended at Gian Sagar Medical College as faculty on strike

Students felt lakhs of rupees spent on admissions were going down the drain. They said the onus of it should be taken on by the government ,since admission to the college was based on a common entrance test

With 900 student strength, the examination in the college is scheduled for next month. Some of the students have joined the agitation, demanding adequate staff strength, hostel facilities, and proper utilization of their fee.

The state government had constituted a four-member committee of professors to look into the crisis. The committee report, mentioned the management as being incompetent to run the college.

According to sources, the strife in college was on the agenda of the Congress government. Member legislative Assembly (MLA), Rajpura, Hardyal Kamboj visited the college on Sunday. A show cause notice might be issued to the management, sources said.

Brahm Mohindra, said it was a sensitive matter and he would decide in the interest of students. "The management is not serious about running the institute properly. It pilfered money. I will not let students down as they are the future of our country," Mr. Mohindra told the Tribune.

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