The Maharashtra State Government has derecognized the Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences located in Palghar for “large-scale” infrastructure shortages. This also includes inadequate teaching staff at the medical institute as defendant by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The authorities of the college with highest fees moved to Bombay High Court against the inspection carried by MCI. They stated that due to a cyclone warning, only few teachers were present on that day; hence requested for a second inspection. Reportedly, the state High Court has directed MCI to organise a second visit.

According to The Times of India report, MCI has reduced Vedanta’s student intake to zero for the present year; therefore, the admitted students are expected to transfer to other medical colleges in the state. “If they don't get permission by the time the first year results are announced, we will transfer the students to other private colleges,” Dr Pravin Shingare, head, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) was quoted as saying. The same report further highlighted that the college had 84 percent faculty deficiency, 87 percent shortfall of resident doctors and that its pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, forensic medicine and community medicine department were under construction. Also, data of outdoor patient department (OPD) attendance and radiological and laboratory investigations was overblown.

During their inspection, MCI noted that there was no major, minor or day care operation and no woman was present in the labour room. In fact, the library was not available, and the exam hall was under construction. MCI’s executive committee recommended; “In view of the deficiencies as noted above, the Executive Committee of the Council decided to recommend to the Central Govt. to invoke Regulation 8 (3)(1)(a) of the Establishment of Medical College Regulation, 1999, and disapprove the application of the Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Palghar, Maharashtra under the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Nashik u/s 10A of the IMC Act, 1956 for renewal of permission of MBBS course 2nd batch (150 seats) for the academic year 2018-2019.”

Last year, Vedantaa Institute was in the headlines for charging the highest fees approximately 14 lakhs annually among all the private medical colleges in Maharashtra. The case against excessive fee is scheduled to be held soon in the High Court. Vedanta was set up as Maharashtra’s first medical college under a private limited company unlike the other private colleges and hospitals have been developed as trusts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2018 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).