Nursing colleges: Ministry approves, State delays
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2011: State authorities are faced with a stiff challenge of setting up nursing colleges in seven districts of Manipur within the stipulated deadline set by the Union health Ministry.

With the Union Health Ministry approving setting up of one nursing college each in seven districts of the State within the 11th Five Year plan period which lapses in March this year, the State Government is left with the option of seeking an extension of the time-frame as ensuring all basic infrastructure at this juncture is very remote, conceded an informed source.

Even though relevant steps are being taken up to establish the institutes within the stipulated period, the fact that building constructions are yet to begin is likely to be one of the stumbling blocks.

However, the source conveyed that the Ministry's directive to either construct new buildings of the colleges or begin academic session within the set deadline at hired/leased buildings provides a ray of hope that the Ministry's approval would not rot like many other Central-sponsored projects.

According to the source, the nursing colleges to be set-up with funding of the Union Ministry should be established at the district headquarters of Thoubal, Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, senapati and Ukhrul.

It is also informed that the Ministry has issued strong instruction that all the seven institutes should be established within the 11th Five Year Plan period.

Further disclosing that land procurement had been one of the impediments hampering prompt construction of the college buildings even though the Ministry had given the green signal last year, the source said as the Ministry directive include option for either setting up of the college on its own building or at rented/leased buildings hectic efforts are on to ensure setting up of the colleges within the stipulated period.

It is also informed that fresh appointments should be processed for the posts of principal, vice principal, lecturer, tutors and requisite number of staff.

The source, however, conceded that the Ministry might have to be approached for extension of the time-frame as the 11th Plan period would lapse this march and there is still need for finalising various administrative pre-requisites.

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