Nitesh Sangral
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: The authorities of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu have surrendered funds to the tune of Rs 60 lakh meant for purchasing medical journals.
Sources informed Early Times that because of the non-serious approach of the GMC authorities, the funds were surrendered in the last financial year which just ended despite being repeatedly pulled up by the Medical Council of India MCI in the past.
"Now, the GMC officials have to start the process from the beginning which will take few months in purchasing medical journals. The students will suffer," said sources. "On May 23, 2017, the GMC Principal had constituted a Library Committee which is headed by HOD Physiology Dr. Sunil Sachdeva to streamline the functioning of GMC library with regard to purchase of books, medical journals and other things but failed to make the purchase," sources added. They said that as per the MCI guidelines, it is mandatory to buy new and latest journals and regularly update teaching faculty on recent advancements taking place in the field of medical science so that teaching is improved. "But who cares?" they added.
The principal of GMC Jammu Dr Sunanda Raina admitted that the funds were not spent. She said the tender for purchasing medical journals had been finalized but as per a condition, the amount had to be paid in advance to get the journals. "For that, we had sought permission for advance drawn from the Director Finance, Health and Medical Education Department, but the permission was not granted," she said. When contacted, Director Finance, Health Department, Mohammad Rafiq said the department can grant permission for advance payment upto Rs 25 lakhs only. "For above this amount, the GMC has to get permission from the Finance Department," he said. He said when the issue had been taken up with officials of the Finance Department, they had assured that funds would be released if required for this purpose. |
