JOIN USTwo Central Medical Colleges for Gulbarga?
The newly established Gulbarga Central University of Karnataka (CUK), which is all set to begin its academic activities from August, is keen to start a medical college here. The CUK has decided to send a proposal to the Centre and its Vice-Chancellor A M Pathan is hopeful of realising the goal soon.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge has grabbed the opportunity to set up a super speciality hospital and a medical college under the patronage of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which is part of his ministry. The new medical college will be exclusively for children of the ESI beneficiaries including workers, labourers and employees. Unlike the State-run institutions, the CUK is not plagued by certain problems and it is assured of funds and functional autonomy.
Full-fledged campus
The campus is located on a sprawling 612 acres of land at Kadaganchi-Suntanur villages in Aland taluk, about 22 km from here. Works on the construction of compound has already begun and the full-fledged campus is expected to be ready within a couple of years. However, it may take time for the proposal’s approval, as the CUK is yet to be well-equipped before venturing into the academic activities in full swing. However, in case of ESIC there are no hurdles. With the backing of Kharge, the ESIC Medical College and hospital may materialise from the academic year 2010-11.
The teams of the Union Labour and Employment Ministry have already visited Gulbarga to inspect infrastructural facilities including land for the project. The work on the project is expected to commence as soon as the State allots 30 acres of land. Kharge has emphatically stated that he would pump in Rs 100 cr during the current year itself for the ambitious venture.
Boon for wards
The ESIC Medical College will be a boon for the meritorious wards of working class in the backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region, as they cannot afford exorbitant cost of medical education. It is expected to give a boost to the growth and development of the region.
With the proposed two medical colleges, the number of medical colleges in the city is likely to go up to four including the M R Medical College of the HKE Society, one of the oldest medical institutions of the State, and the KBN Medical College run by the Muslim management.