MIMS chief gung-ho on admission

Students need not worry about Medical Council of India denying Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) permission to conduct admissions this year, as the State would get clearance from the Union Ministry of Health for it, said newly-appointed MIMS director Dr G Gurushankar on Tuesday.

The first full-time director, Gurushankar, appointed to MIMS after courses commenced, told Deccan Herald that there would be no objection from the MCI for the next five years once the Union Health Ministry permits admissions, unless MIMS starts new post-graduation courses.

However, he said, the institution would strive to fulfil all requirements for getting permanent affiliation soon, with the help of the government, the ministers concerned, MPs and local legislators.

Sources in the MIMS reveal that the institution has all facilities and manpower required for MCI approval, but its capacities have not been presented properly before the apex body. Some private colleges with inferior infrastructure and faculty had received approval from the MCI, they added.

Gurushankar said of the sanctioned 210 faculty posts, only six per cent is vacant. MCI allows up to five per cent vacancy and the Union Health Ministry allows up to 10 per cent vacancy in medical colleges.

The sources said the services provided by MIMS and the results of the students in examinations are in no way inferior to any other similar institution.

Counter view

However, members of Pragathipara Chintakara Okkoota, who have been fighting against the management of MIMS since 2007, say all is not well with the institution.

Even though MIMS is the pride of Mandya district, “it is a shame that it is mired in corruption and mismanagement,” they say.

K Boraiah of the Okkoota said even though he felt sorry about the MCI denying permission to MIMS, the State government should take action on the reports by various committees and punish the guilty.

The State government had scrapped the appointment of non-teaching staff after investigations into the discrepancies in the recruitment procedure. However, no action has been taken on the inquiry report by district judge N Narayan, which accuses 12 faculty members of MIMS of producing fake experience certificates, said Boraiah. He said Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas’ promises to file criminal cases against corrupt faculty members had not been followed up.

MCI sources said, the team that inspected MIMS was not happy with the institute not having a full-time director, a lacuna now addressed.