Controversy: MCI alleges fraud by Airtel in misleading medical colleges in DMMP Scheme

The Council office is initiating proceedings against the Management of Airtel and System Integrator for fraudulently using MCI Circular for commercial gain and misleading the Medical Colleges, the letter stated

New Delhi: The apex medical council of the country, Medical Council of India (MCI) is witnessing yet another controversy in its domain, this time surrounding the implementation of IP based CCTV solution at Medical colleges under the DMMP II scheme.

The controversy comes in the light of recent clarification issued by a computer programmer at the MCI, to the various medical colleges, informing about the implementation of the  IP based CCTV solutions and stating that Medical Council of India superseded by Board of Governors (BOG) has never advised/recommended to take the Multi-Protocol Level Switching (MPLS) or Internet Leased Line (ILL) from Airtel and that proceedings have been initiated against Airtel and the System Integrator in the matter .

The letter, while attaching previous communications in the matter informed about the circular of MCI about the implementation of the IP based CCTV solutions at medical colleges. One of the notifications stated that the implementation of these require  “To provide internet connectivity to switches north dedicated bandwidth of 5 MBPS or more preferably through Multi-Protocol Label Switching [MPLS) line as desired by SI (System Integrator-Bodhtree Consulting). The expenditure and annual rental charges for the internet line shall be borne by the college/institute."

"In this context, this is to inform you that the representatives of System integrator and M/s Airtel, The services provider have approached you to take internet connection from AIRTEL " the recent most clarifications pointed out.

One of the emails written to ESIC Medical college officials by the SI, a copy of which is now available of the MCI website stated that " MPLS connectivity between your college and at MCI Delhi is preferable and technically we need to have same service provider at both end, ie at MCI Dwarka New Delhi and at your college. At MCI Dwarka New Delhi, we have taken Airtel MPLS connectivity. Hence at college end also airtel  MPLS connectivity is required."

However, distancing itself from the entire matter, a letter by the computer programmer told all the medical colleges

In this regard it is stated that Medical Council of India superseded by Board of Governors (BOG) has never advised/recommended to take the Multi-Protocol Level Switching (MPLS) or Internet Leased Line (ILL) from Airtel.

The BOG has not issued any letter/endorsement/award of Contract/Technical Recommendation to the College's or system Integrator for engagement of AIRTEL as the sole service provider for the MPLS/ILL.

The college may opt for Internet Leased Line (ILL) or Multi-Protocol Level Switching (MPLS) Connectivity from any service provider with dedicated bandwidth of 5 Mbps or more. The Cost is to be borne by the College Authorities.

 You are therefore directed to take the Internet Leased Line (lLL) or Multi-Protocol Level Switching (MPLS) Connectivity from any service provider. You are also requested to use the email id cctv.dmmp2@mciindia.org regarding DMMP-II.

The letter confirmed

The Council office is initiating proceedings against the Management of Airtel and System Integrator for fraudulently using MCI Circular for commercial gain and misleading the Medical Colleges.