Nagaland Medical College: State Govt yet to release its share of funds

October 21, 2022 52 Views No Comment

• HC directs CS to file affidavit stating when State’s share would be released
• Minimum requirement as per NMC norms to be completed by Nov, finds inspection team

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 21

The Nagaland State Government is yet to release its share of funds for the ongoing construction of Nagaland medical college, according to report by an independent team constituted by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.

‘The State’s share for the project which amounts to Rs18.90 crore is yet to be released and if that is not released, the project may not be completed in time,’ highlighted the report submitted to the Court.

The college, now christened Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR), was approved at the estimated cost of Rs 189 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) in 2014, with a funding pattern of 90:10 between the Union Government and the State.

The Union Government has already released its share of Rs 170.10 crore for the project.

Taking up the report for hearing on October 19, the Additional Advocate General Nagaland submitted before the HC Division Bench comprising of Justices Songkhupchung Serto and Kakheto Sema that he was not aware of the State’s share as mentioned; and would obtain instruction as to when the same can be released.

Accordingly, the Bench directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on or before the next date of hearing stating when the State’s share would be released after observing that the work for the college was going “on war footing mode.”

Hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) pertaining to the project and other issues related to public health care in Nagaland, the Bench constituted the inspection team on October 12 to inspect the progress of the ongoing construction.

The team conducted the inspection on October 15.

Meanwhile, apart from non-release of State’s share, the report was mostly positive.

Among others, the report stated that medical college building would be completed by March 2023, but the minimum requirement as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms for issuance of Letter of Permission (LOP) for starting the medical college would be completed by November first week this year.

It further informed that 100-seat Boys’ and Girls’ hostels, the minimum requirement as per NMC norms, would be completed by first week November while the full capacity hostels with accommodation for 250 persons would be completed by March 2023.

Kitchen, dining hall and other basic amenities would be completed by first week of November, the team was informed. The sports complex, Medical Superintendent and Dean’s residences have been completed.

Progress of the 100 square metre apartments (4 blocks) and 200 sq mt apartments for housing the faculty members were respectively put at 90-95% and 45-50%.

The team was further assured that the minimum requirement as per the NMC norms would be completed by the first week of November 2022 and the entire work would be completed by March 2023.

The road construction within the compound, as per the report, would be completed by the October end.

In view of the inspection’s team report and submission by the counsels, the Bench noted the progress made so far for establishment of the medical college in Kohima appears to be “satisfactory” and on the right track.

To this end, it directed all the stakeholders to ensure that the tempo of the work progress is maintained so that the project is completed within the timeline given.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the Department of Health and Family Welfare was reminded to obtain instruction and apprise the Court as to when the recruitment process to 6 posts of Professor, 20 posts of Associate Professors, 24 posts of Assistant Professors and 30 posts of Sr Residents/Tutor would be completed.

Come with full instructions as directed earlier as well as the progress report of the ongoing project, on or before the next date, the Bench stated, listing the matter for hearing again on November 11.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-medical-college-state-govt-yet-to-release-its-share-of-funds