'Govt. won't close teaching hospitals'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, AUG. 28. The Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. G.Parameshwar, who also holds the Medical Education portfolio, said here on Tuesday that the Government-run teaching hospitals would not be closed down.

Reacting to a report that two major government hospitals, Victoria and Vanivilas, were given notice of closure by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for not adhering to certain norms, Dr. Parameshwar said efforts would be made to improve these hospitals with the state-of-the-art facilities.

The minister, who visited these hospitals, told presspersons that it was true that the KSPCB had issued notices to the hospitals. The hospital authorities had adhered to the guidelines specified by the board, including obtaining authorisation to dispose waste in a manner without causing pollution. The board might have issued notices before the Government giving its authorisation to the hospitals concerned.

Dr. Parameshwar said he would discuss the issue with the KSPCB. The major government-run teaching hospitals would never be closed as they catered to a large number of poor people. Efforts would be made to buy latest equipment for these hospitals. The incinerator at the Victoria Hospital had a capacity to burn 100 kg. of infectious waste per hour and the collection of waste was around 500 kg. per day in the hospital and 400 kg. in Vanivilas Hospital, which comprised 10 per cent infectious waste.

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Separation of PU course

On the separation of pre-university course (PUC) from composite colleges, Dr. Parameshwar said Karnataka was the only State which had not toed the national policy in this regard.

He allayed fears of the teachers that they would lose University Grants Commission salary after the separation of PU courses from composite colleges. The process in 164 colleges, including 16 government colleges, had been completed, he said.

On the Universities Bill, now awaiting the Governor's assent, he said it would not harm teachers and it was brought in the interests of students and the public.

He appealed to the teachers not to go on strike as proposed by them.

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Section  : Southern States
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