Odisha government to engage new promoter for revival of Kalahandi Medical College

Times of India, Sept 30, 2015
BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to engage a new promoter for revival of the Sardar Rajas Medical College at Jaring in Kalahandi district. 

Future of the medical institution was uncertain after the Medical Council of India (MCI) denied permission to the college due to inadequate infrastructure. 

The cabinet, headed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik, also decided to rehabilitate the 124 MBBS students of the beleaguered college in three private medical colleges in Bhubaneswar. 

While 100 students were taken admission in 2013-14, remaining 24 students were enrolled in the following year (2014-15), official sources said. 

"The Orissa high court has asked the state government to consult with the MCI for one-time increase of seats in the three private medical colleges of the city for rehabilitation of the students," said development commissioner U N Behera after the cabinet meeting. "We hope the MCI would agree with our proposal since the high court has asked to do so," he added. 

In January, 2004, a MoU was signed between Selvam Educational and Charitable Trust and the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC), a wing under the state planning and coordination department, to set up the medical college and hospital on public private partnership mode. 

"The Western Odisha Development Council has already cancelled the MoU with the trust and lodged FIR against it for improper management of the medical college," Behera said. 

He also said that according to the conditions of the MoU, the WODC would take over the infrastructure of the medical college since it had sanctioned Rs 10 crore to the trust earlier. 

The 300-bed hospital attached to the medical college would be closed till engagement of a new promoter.