Source: Affidavit showing the progress of the Medical College at Kohima by the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland to Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.
Morung Express News
Dimapur/Kohima | August 7
With a revised timeline regarding the progress of work as well as recruitment of workforce, the Nagaland Government has informed the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on August 3 that it intends to admit the first batch of MBBS students for the 2023-24 academic session.
As per an order passed by the Division Bench comprising of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema on August 3, the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, as directed by the Court on April 12, has filed affidavit showing the progress of the works undertaken for establishment of Medical College in Kohima under the nomenclature ‘Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research” (NIMSR).’
The first batch of MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) would be admitted for the session 2023-24, it stated.
It is to be noted here that the State Government had earlier assured the Court that it planned to start the first MBBS batch from the 2022-23 session. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had also informed the State’s Assembly in February 2021 that, “We plan to apply for starting the Kohima Medical College from the academic year 2022-23...”
Source: Data submitted to the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench by the Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland
Regarding the same, the State respondents submitted that though efforts were made to start the Medical College from 2022-23 session, it could not be done due several factors.
Among others, the factors included non completion of the college building and other infrastructural requirements, non recruitment of human resources (HR) and non procurement of the Letter of Intent (LOI) and Letter of Permission (LOP) for establishment of Medical College from the National Medical Commission, a mandatory procedure.
Revised timelines
The CS’s affidavit reproduced by the counsel for the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare informed that while originally the total of 6 construction works for the college were to be completed by March 2021, it was first revised to November 2021.
With the construction missing the deadline, the 2nd ‘Revised Date of Completion’ informed that while the construction of dean’s residence and sports complex are completed, works for medical college building, hostels and apartments are yet to be completed.
The last of the 6 projects – ‘Construction of 200 sqm Apartment’ is planned to be completed by March 30, 2023 as per the submission to the Court.
The counsel also submitted that a society under the nomenclature ”Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research” has been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, a mandatory requirement for establishment of Medical College.
‘To show that the society has been not only registered but formed, a copy of the Memorandum of Association including the bye laws have been annexed to the affidavit,’ the order stated.
Appointment of workforce
Meanwhile, the affidavit further stated that workforce requirement as prepared by the Medical Department has been approved by the Cabinet and subsequently, 60 posts including the post of Director/Dean have been created.
A person from West Bengal has already been considered for appointment for the Director/Dean, the Court was informed.
As for the recruitment of others, the medical department also provided a timeline, showing that the entire required workforce are proposed to be appointed by September 2022.
Apart from the Dean, the timeline for the appointment of the Medical Superintendent is given as July 2022, while it was June 2022 for 1 post each of Deputy Director (Admin) and Deputy Director (Finance).
Letter of Permission submitted
As per the Court’s order, the Chief Secretary stated in the affidavit that for LOI and LOP from the NMC, appropriate steps have been taken so that as soon as the window for the same is open in the month of July-August 2023, applications can be submitted and the first batch of MBBS can be admitted for the session 2023-24.
Meanwhile, on August 6, Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom informed that the online submission of application to the NMC to obtain the LOP to start the college from academic year 2023-24 has been “successfully completed.”
“One step closer to realize the vision and aspirations of the people of Nagaland!” he tweeted.
After going through the submissions, the Bench observed that there was no doubt that “people of Nagaland would have their first Medical College by July 2023 when Medical Colleges starts their sessions normally.”
Since it has been the dream and need of the people of the State to have a Medical College of their own, the (State) respondents shall make all endeavours so that the time lines prepared by them are scrupulously followed and the required permissions are obtained from the NMC, it stated.
The Bench listed the matter again for hearing on September 7, 2022 and also directed the Commissioner & Secretary Medical Department to file an affidavit showing the progress of the work.
Justice Serto and Justice Sema were hearing a batch of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to the Medical College project as well as infrastructures, workforce and other amenities in the district hospitals, health centres and other health related issues.
