Government Stanley Medical College’s bid to renew permission for the enhanced number of MBBS seats (from 150 to 250) has been rejected by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
According to the MCI website, the executive committee decided not to renew permission for increase in seats in a decision taken on May 9, and this was conveyed to the Centre in a letter dated May 17.
As per the MCI report, Stanley’s lecture theatres do not have the required capacity: the requirement is six theatres with a capacity of 300 each, and one that has a capacity of 650, but Stanley has six theatres with a capacity of 200 each, and one with a capacity of 120. The lecture theatre that has capacity of 120 is not airconditioned, said the report.
This apart, the common rooms for boys and girls are inadequate. The average daily figure, at 2,543, at the outpatient department for the past three months is less than the minimum required and the demonstrations rooms in all the departments are congested, the report pointed out.
It was in 2013 the MCI cleared 100 seats for Stanley Medical College, upping intake from 150 to 250 students in the MBBS course.
However, dean A.L. Meenakshisundaram said a compliance report which detailed the rectification of all errors pointed out in the MCI report had already been submitted to the State government.
“It will be sent to the Centre and from them to the MCI. At the MCI’s executive committee meeting on June 13, this will be taken up and we hope to get permission after that. This is routine procedure,” he said, adding the college has the infrastructure for extra seats.
A senior health department official said permission for the 100 seats is expected to be given after the review.
