MBBS students on Indefinite Strike Over Privatization of Govt Medical College

Haridwar: Protesting against the State Government's decision to hand over the Government Medical College Haridwar to private management i.e. Sharda Educational Society, Noida, the MBBS students of the institute went on an indefinite strike recently.

The State has reportedly decided to handover the college to Sharda Educational Society to run it under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Meanwhile, the students pointed out that two members of the teaching faculty have already resigned from their posts and a number of teachers, who were transferred to the college from other government medical colleges are now being transferred back, TOI has reported.

Amid this situation, the MBBS students have informed that they would continue their strike until they get any commitment from the government assuring to retain the college's current status.

Further, the medicos have demanded assurances specifying that the fee structure would not be changed, and hidden charges would not be imposed on them. Apart from this, the students have also demanded the authorities to assure that the medicos enrolled at the institute would receive government-issued degrees.

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They have also suggested the possibility of transferring them to other government medical colleges if the State Government proceeded with the change. Commenting on the issue, the students said, "We worked hard to secure higher ranks and gain admission to a govt college. How can the state compel us to study at a private college with students and faculty of lesser merit? We will not let our careers be compromised in this way."

Meanwhile, a faculty member informed the Times of India, on the condition of anonymity, that many teachers have turned down the offers of double salaries to join the government college. The faculty member added, "Privatisation is particularly shocking given that the college was granted a letter of permission just in Oct."

However, the principal of the medical college Rangeel Singh Raina has informed that "A final decision is yet to be taken as the matter has to go to the cabinet."

The Government's decision came to light from a government letter dated January 1. Referring to this, the Director of Medical Education Ashutosh Sayana told TOI, "There will be no increase in the fee structure, and students will continue to receive the same facilities as available at govt medical colleges." He also made it clear that under the PPP model, the "govt medical college" would be mentioned on all certificates and degrees awarded to the students.

Even though Haridwar Medical College was founded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi back on December 4, 2021, it opened in the current academic session. Around Rs 538 crore was spent for setting up the college.

The State's decision of privatisation of Haridwar Medical College has been criticised by Ashok Sharma, the ex-municipal councillor of Congress. Criticising the move, Sharma said, "The govt promised a public medical college, but now it's being privatised."

Members of the medical fraternity have also expressed their shock and disappointment over the State's decision to hand over the medical college to private management.

Addressing the State's decision, Health Activist and a National Council Member of IMA JDN, Dr. Dhruv Chauhan wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post, "What is the uttrakhand government doing ? As per the students of GMC Haridwar their govt college has been given to a private trust institution to change it into a private medical college . Is this not mockery of Education in the country ?"

The Doctors Welfare Federation has written to the Commissioner of Medical Education, Dehradun in this regard. In the letter, the President of the Federation, Dr. Chandraveer Singh wrote, "This college is newly established, and students have taken admission based on the reputation of government medical colleges. However, the decision to privatize this institution is concerning."

"Such a move would harm the image of the government and negatively impact the students currently studying in their first year at the college. I humbly request you to reconsider and stop the privatization of the Government Medical College, Haridwar," added the letter.

Meanwhile, slamming the Government's decision, an X user termed this development as a "scam" and wrote, "This will be the Biggest SCAM of the #Uttarakhand Health Department so far! The Government Medical College was built at the cost of crores of rupees on hundreds of acres of valuable Government land in #Haridwar. Where the first batch is studying, it is now being handed over to the Private Company. - Was this Govt Institution worth about ₹1500 crores built for a Private Company Surprisingly, the handover of the Government Medical College to “Sharda Educational Trust” was being discussed in the corridors of the #Uttarakhand Secretariat for the last two months. Now the students admitted in the Government College will get the Mark Sheet of the Private College!"

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