Fresh probe into recruitment irregularities at medical colleges

Case pertains to appointments made to institutes in Mysore, Hassan in 2010

The State government will order fresh inquiry into the alleged irregularities in recruitment of staff in Hassan and Mysore government medical colleges in 2010 that had led to the resignation of the then Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda.

The inquiry ordered by the BJP government by an officer of the rank of additional chief secretary in September 2010 into the alleged irregularities had not taken off.

The present government will take the case to its logical end and order a fresh inquiry by an appropriate agency soon, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil told reporters in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Gowda had to quit from the B S Yeddyurappa cabinet following allegations of irregularities in the recruitment of around 350 non-medical staff to the two government colleges and attached hospitals. While Gowda had denied his involvement in the alleged irregularities, the BJP had ordered a probe into the issue. “We will ensure justice is now done at least now,” Dr Patil said.

The minister said the government has decided to accept the report of former Upa Lokayukta R Gururajan that a full-fledged Lokayukta inquiry be ordered into the  allegations that 16 doctors were recruited to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences during 2005-2008 on the basis of fake experience certificates.

Medical colleges

To queries, Dr Patil said the government will revisit the previous regime’s decision to start seven new government medical colleges at Chamarajanagar, Tumkur, Haveri, Chitradurga, Koppal, Gadag and Madikeri.

“The previous government took the decision to start seven new medical colleges without earmarking funds. We will take a decision based on the recommendation of the Finance department,” he said.

The minister said the government will take steps to ensure every district has a government medical college in the years to come. The government was awaiting the Medical Council of India’s clearance for seats in ESI medical colleges in Bangalore and Gulbarga so that it would be added to the state’s seat matrix.

A court order was awaited on whether minority status should be awarded to Subbaiah Medical College in Shimoga, he added.

Jayadeva centre, Gulbarga

As part of its decentralisation of health services, the minister said the government would open super speciality hospitals, cancer and trauma care centres in all divisions.
It would take steps to strengthen the Gulbarga peripheral cancer centre to cater to the patients of Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

Dialysis units would be opened in all district hospitals besides a branch of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Gulbarga, Dr Patil said.