Maharashtra Medical College Loses Recognition for MBBS seats, HC orders NMC Re-inspection
Mumbai: A sudden tragedy has fallen on a Dhule-based Private medical college as the National Medical Commission (NMC) had put it on no-admission list after the apex medical regulator was not impressed by a surprise visit at the medical college.
Not only the Medical Assessment and Rating Board has cancelled the recognition for the 50 new MBBS seats at Annasaheb Chudaman Patil Memorial Medical College, but it has also cancelled the institute's permission for 100 existing MBBS seats.
After the institute took refuge before the High Court and claimed that the surprise visit was made on a holiday, the bench has directed the NMC for a re-inspection and to make a fresh decision.
This has come as a major blow to the medical aspirants of the State as the medical college, run by Jawahar Medical Foundation charges one of the lowest fees (Rs 5.5 lakh) for MBBS courses when compared to other self-financed institutes, adds TOI.
Also Read: Ambikapur Medical College gets NMC nod for 100 MBBS seats
The institute was initially permitted for admitting 100 students for the MBBS course. However, for the academic year 2021-2022, the medical college was granted the permission for admitting 50 more students and thereby taking the total intake capacity of the medical college to 150 seats.
However, recently the National Medical Commission (NMC) had made a surprise inspection on 14.01.2022. During that surprise visit, the NMC team had found out deficiencies and passed an order withdrawing the letter of permission to increase 50 MBBS seats for the academic year 2021-2022.
The tragedy does not end there, apart from withdrawing for the increased MBBS seats, it was made clarified by NMC that the college is not recommended for admission to the existing 100 MBBS seats as well, for this academic year.
"It was a holiday and some of the teaching staff were not on campus. Based on this, a report was submitted by the team and the NMC put us on the no-admission list," the college dean, Dr Vijay Patil told TOI.
Taking the matter before the High Court, the College argued that the inspection was made without notice and no opportunity was given before withdrawing permission for admitting the students.
Claiming that the principles of natural justice have been violated, the counsel for the institute further submitted before the High Court that previously when the inspection was made, everything was found to be in order and now again pursuant to the surprise inspection; a contrary report has been submitted.
On the other hand, NMC contended that the medical college has the remedy of appeal before the Commission. The counsel for NMC further clarified that the Commission is entitled to conduct surprise visit as per the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.
After considering the matter at hand, the Court suggested that the directions can be given for re-inspection as it has been stated by the college that the day inspection was made, it was a holiday and the institute may avail the remedy of appeal.
In fact, the counsel for the institute too suggested that the medical college would go with the option of having a fresh inspection.
Therefore, the HC bench directed the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of NMC to conduct a re-inspection and clarified, "The respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall conduct the inspection preferably by 30.01.2022 and based on the inspection may take a fresh decision with regard to the permission to admit the students. The said decision shall be taken preferably by 03.02.2022 as it is submitted that the last date for admission would be by 07.02.2022."
"While passing the fresh order the impugned order would not be an impediment, nor the respondents shall be guided by the same. The fresh decision shall be taken on the basis of the fresh inspection made and the report received," HC clarified in its order.
Meanwhile, speaking to TOI regarding the matter, a parent representative Sudha Shenoy said that the students should fill the college as an option as there is no official intimation yet.
To view the HC order, click on the link below.
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