Medical Council of India rejects state's demand for more medical seats

Times of India, June 11, 2014
BHUBANESWAR: Medical education in the state got a major jolt as the Medical Council of India (MCI) rejected the proposal to increase 300 MBBS seats in the state for 2014-15 academic session and barred admission to 100 seats in Sardar Rajas Medical College, Hospital and research Centre, Jaring, Kalahandi.

The state government had proposed to increase100 seats each in two state-run VSS Medical College, Burla, and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, and 50 seats each in two private medical colleges - Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital and Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). However, the apex body of medical education in the country is considering KIMS case.

The MCI decided to reject the seats due to inadequate infrastructure in these medical colleges. However, the final date to send the compliance report to MCI is June 15 and some cases may be reconsidered, sources said.

Director, medical education and training (DMET), Dr Sunamali Bag, said, "We have not yet received any letter from the MCI. There are several steps before the final decision is taken. We have submitted all necessary documents and fulfilled the required criteria." He further added, "MCI gives such threats but we are quite hopeful of getting clearance for all the proposed seats."

Admission to the 100 seats in Sardar Rajas Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre started last year. With MCI scrapping the 100 seats, the total number of MBBS seats in the state has reduced to 1,050.

The SCB Medical College and Hospital has 250 seats, VSS and MKCG have 150 each and Hi-Tech Group's medical colleges in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela have 100 seats each. Besides, AIIMS, KIMS and Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital have 100 seats each.