Minister for Health & Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today took detailed review of infrastructural and other facilities in Government Medical College, Jammu to medical students at a high-level meeting held here today.Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal GMC, Dr. Sunanda Raina, Member MCI and HoD Medicines, Dr. Annil Mahajan, Registrar Academics, Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Additional Secretary H&ME, Naseer Ahmed Wani, Director Finance, Mohammad Rafiq, Joint Director Planning, Madan Lal and engineers of GMC were present in the meeting.While discussing the present status of facilities vis-a-vis construction of hostel buildings (boys & girls), additional examination hall, up-gradation of library and other allied issues, the Minster called upon the Principal GMC to personally monitor the progress of the activities and ensure their time bound completion. He issued specific instructions for strict adherence to the norms of MCI and called for completion of all pending works before the start of next academic year.
It may be mentioned here that the MCI had last year enhanced 50 more MBBS seats raising the total seats from 100 to 150 after detailed study and inspection of necessary infrastructural and allied facilities required as per the MCI norms. The MCI had pointed out certain deficiencies, including up-gradation of infrastructure like hostels for boys and girls, increasing space for conducting exams, library and faculty members as pre-requisite to facilitate the additional students. The MCI in their subsequent inspections have directed the GMC authorities to overcome these deficiencies as early as possible.The issues relating to the enhancement of PG seats by correspondence reduction of Diploma seats and availing the benefits of 15% share from the pool of All India Central Quota for UG/PG seats from Government Medical Colleges across the country by the students of J&K was also discussed in detail. It was informed that more than 10,000 seats are being filled by various Government Colleges annually through NEET, but the students of J&K State do not avail its benefits in view of State’s own norms and policy.The Minister issued instructions to the Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education to examine these issues in depth and come out with a concrete proposal so that the benefits of such schemes can be availed by the students of Jammu and Kashmir as well.It was informed that most of the deficiencies pointed out by the MCI during their inspections to GMC, Jammu stand rectified and remaining will be removed by the end of March, 2018.