The Medical Council of India (MCI) on Monday granted letter of permission (LoP) to D.D. Medical and Educational Trust, Chennai, for the establishment of a new medical college in the name and style of D.D. Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, with an intake of 150 students from the academic year 2010-2011. It will be affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University.
According to the MCI's communication sent to the Trust, “This permission of the Board of Governors, MCI, for the establishment of a new medical college and admission of students is initially for a period of one year. It will be renewed on yearly basis on verification of achievements of annual target set out in the project report. This process of annual renewal of permission will continue till such time the establishment of medical college and expansion of hospital facilities are completed as per the MCI norms.”
The Trust, represented by Dr. T.D. Naidu, had moved the Supreme Court in May contending that though approval was recommended by the previous inspection committee, it was withheld and the MCI did not make any recommendation to the Union government for grant of approval. Even as the matter stood adjourned, another inspection was conducted in June and based on its report the Board of Governors of the MCI under the new dispensation recommended grant of approval for the college.
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The letter of permission makes it clear that the college should not admit more than one batch of students. It should apply to the MCI for renewal of permission well before the commencement of the next academic session. While applying for such renewal, the achievements in terms of infrastructure, staff and equipment, as spelt out in the time-bound action plan and as per the MCI norms, must be clearly indicated. The next batch should not be admitted unless renewal of permission was granted by the Board of Governors, MCI/Central Government, the LoP said.