Imphal, July 18 2009: Citing shortage of Associate Professors, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has forestalled the State Government's plan to commence the maiden session of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) with intake capacity of 100 seats from this year.

Nevertheless, undeterred by the MCI's refusal to give permission, the State Government has sent another proposal for commencement of session from the current year but with the reduced intake capacity of 50 .

A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the MCI refused to give permission for commencement of session at JNIMS with initial intake capacity of 100 seats after MCI teams made inspection of the infrastructure development works and the position of faculty three times.

Health Minister Ph Parijat conceded that the MCI was reluctant to give its assent for commencement of JNIMS' maiden session this year with the initial intake capacity of 100 seats.

The MCI has certain reservations on granting the due permission because of shortage of eight Associate Professors, the Health Minister said.

There is shortage of eight Associate Professors in JNIMS as no candidate responded to advertisements published in this regard.

As for Professors, Assistant Professors, Senior Resident Doctors and Demonstrators, JNIMS has adequate strength, Parijat claimed.

Taking note of the MCI's reluctance, the State Government has sent another proposal seeking due permission to start the first session of JNIMS as a medical institute having intake capacity of 50 seats for this year.

The State Government also assured that the required number of Associate Professors would be recruited before commencement of the next session.

To obtain MCI's assent to the new proposal so that JNIMS can start its maiden session this year itself, Chief Minister O Ibobi is currently at New Delhi to pursue the matter with Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, Parijat said.

However, it is reported that O Ibobi would be returning back to Imphal tomorrow without meeting Gulam Nabi Azad who is currently at Bangalore.

But MOBC and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allaudin Khan and JNIMS Director Dr AD Singh would be staying back at Delhi to take up the matter with the Union Health Minister on his return at Delhi.

For development of the medical institute's infrastructure which would be run by a society headed by the Chief Minister as chairman, the State Government has already sanctioned Rs 35 crores under Special Plan Assistance.

Another Rs 50 crores have been incorporated in the next budget estimate for development of JNIMS infrastructure, the Health Minister added.

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