Inadequate infrastructure: GMC Badaun likely to Lose NMC Recognition

Lucknow: The Government Medical College, Badaun might lose its recognition for the existing 100 MBBS seats as currently the college does not have the adequate infrastructure as specified by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

With the impending NMC inspection, the principal of the college has opined that the construction agency of the State Government i.e. the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiye Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) should be held responsible for the incomplete infrastructure of the college. 

Even though the UPRNN, which commenced constructing the college in 2015-2016, had a deadline to complete the construction work within 2021, only 60% of the work has been completed over the past eight years. 

Referring to the matter, the Principal of the medical college, N.C. Prajapati told The Hindu, "There are a few deficiencies that need to be plugged. If the NMC gives us an adverse report, then the government’s construction agency should be held responsible."

GMC Badaun, which is also known as Badaun Medical College, was established in the year 2019 and the college has a yearly intake of 100 MBBS students.

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Initially, NMC had given affiliation to the medical college on the condition that the pending work would be completed before its first batch of MBBS students graduate next year. However, the work has been put on a halt for more than a year and the matter is pending before an arbitration tribunal.

Commenting on the matter, the Assistant General Manager of Electric Zone, Bareilly, UPRNN, A.K.Singh informed The Hindu that the civil work for the college was sanctioned in the year 2016, and it was awarded to Anil Kumar and Company. Half of the work was completed by the contractor by 2017 when the Bharatiya Janata Party became the reigning power in UP by defeating the Samajwadi Party in the Assembly Poll.

He further added, "When the government changed, funds were not allocated for some time. The contractor then sent a revised estimate to the government, which was not sanctioned. The contractor then went into arbitration. As the civil work is pending, we are also unable to carry out the electrical work in the college."

The Daily adds that the college does not have the required number of lecture halls, operation theatres, hostels, and a road, multi-purpose hall, and sewage treatment plant on campus. Referring to this, the Principal Mr. Prajapati said, "We are not compromising on the quality of education and patient care, but we must meet these norms. I hope action is taken against those responsible for such laxity." Until now, several letters have been sent to the Government by the Principal and also the District Magistrate of Badaun. 

The assistant general manager, of Bareilly Zone, UPRNN, Dr. Darban Singh Rana gave assurance about a speedy solution and mentioned, "We are trying to solve the issue so that the work gets completed."

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has blamed the BJP Government for discrimination as Badaun is its bastion. SP spokesman Sunil Singh Yadav ‘Sajan’ mentioned, "The BJP government claims it has opened over 30 medical colleges, but look at the way it is treating colleges that were sanctioned and whose construction started during the SP regime. The government is showing discrimination in development work in Badaun for obvious reasons. The medical college is an example of this."

Also Read: 15 new medical colleges under construction in UP, Centre permission awaited for 14 more: UP CM