KU and Govt. on a collision course

By J. Ajith Kumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 19. The University of Kerala and the State Government seem to be on a collision course over the issue of setting up new medical and dental colleges under the university's jurisdiction.

A meeting of the university Syndicate here today put off indefinitely the final decision on the 13 applications seeking affiliation. It was decided to strictly go by the statutes of the university in this regard and not in tune with the interests of the Government.

As per a provision in Chapter 24 of the Kerala University Statues of 1977, applications for affiliation of courses are received till December 31 and follow up action, including such formalities as formation of a sub-committee and formal inspection of the site where a college is proposed to be set up, is completed by January 31 next. By deciding to strictly adhere to the statue, it is obvious that the university is in for a confrontation with the Government, which has issued no objection certificates (NOC) to whoever had applied for starting medical or dental colleges.

Further more, even if the applicants satisfy the conditions set by the Medical Council of India (MCI), affiliation of the university may still be a stumbling block in the way of setting up the colleges. As per the MCI regulations, 25 acres of land would be sufficient for setting up a medical or dental college. However, the university statutes demand that a minimum of 150 acres would be required. How many of the 13 applicants can satisfy this condition is anybody's guess.

The university has, so far, issued only an acknowledgement to the effect that a particular applicant has submitted an application for affiliation and that it would be processed in due course. Whether such an acknowledgement alone will be sufficient for the MCI to give the nod for setting up the college remains to be seen.

The mood of the university seems to be one of confrontation with the Government, especially in the aftermath of the promulgation of an Ordinance effecting the nomination of five subject experts to its Syndicate. If the Government is determined to go ahead favouring the setting up of new medical and dental colleges, well, let it issue Ordinances to this effect as well, is the apparent line of thinking of the members of the Syndicate.

Meanwhile, the Mahatma Gandhi University, it is understood, has already formed a committee to go into the issue of granting affiliation to the colleges sought to be set up under its jurisdiction.

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Section  : Southern States
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