Azad clears 150 medical, dental colleges
TNN, 18 June 2009, 01:21am IST
Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday gave his nod to no less than 150 educational institutions including medical, dental, ayurveda and unani colleges.
Officials justified the huge numbers by saying that these permissions had been pending for several years with the ministry and has come in the wake of numerous public complaints of undue delay in processing cases.
While this may appear to be a reflection on the performance of his immediate predecessor, the move is sure to raise eyebrows in certain quarters. Coming at a time when there is growing concern that education regulators are turning a blind eye to quality in their haste to recognise private professional institutions, it is sure to raise eyebrows in certain quarters.
Every institute offering medical education has to get annual clearance from the health ministry which is based on the recommendations of the Medical Council of India or Dental Council, depending on the courses offered.
The minister has on his part claimed that all cases from now on will be taken up without delay. In a clear reference to middle-men, Azad said if any medical institute was found greasing palms of the ministry officials for clearing files, sanctions for colleges, or for increasing seats, strict action will be taken against the erring official and the institute concerned as well.
In his stern message to officials, Azad has made it clear that neither middlemen nor any agents would be tolerated in the ministry for clearing any file of medical institutes.
He said any institute found hiring services of such individuals would be severely punished and could also result in cancellation of existing permissions to run the colleges.
Officials said that in his drive against agents, Azad has asked for complaint boxes to be placed at his office and residence to receive complaints against any middlemen or official seeking illegal gratification either in medical councils or in the ministry.
The health minister has also directed the Medical Council of India and the Dental Council of India to take up pending recommendations of colleges before June 15 so that semesters could begin by August 1 every year.
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