UGC slaps show-cause notice on premier Kolkata medical institute

Kolkata: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a show-cause notice to Kolkata’s renowned Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, widely known as S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital, for failing to submit the mandatory "anti-ragging declaration" from students and their guardians.

S.S.K.M. is not the only institution under scrutiny, as a total of 18 medical institutes across the country have received similar notices from the commission. The UGC has warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response could lead to further action against the institutions.

Under the Anti-Ragging Act of 2009, all educational institutions must collect undertakings from newly admitted students and their guardians, affirming their commitment to avoiding any form of ragging. These declarations must be submitted through a designated website managed by the commission. However, the UGC found that none of the 200 new entrants at S.S.K.M. had submitted their declarations, prompting the issuance of the notice.

Sources within the West Bengal Health Department indicated that the issue might have arisen due to a communication gap, expressing confidence that it would be resolved soon.

"In medical colleges and hospitals, such anti-ragging declarations are typically submitted to the National Medical Commission. If they are also required to be forwarded to the UGC, the necessary steps will be taken," a senior department official stated.

West Bengal’s healthcare sector has been facing negative publicity in recent months. Notable incidents include the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in August last year and the tragic deaths of a woman and her newborn at a medical college in West Midnapore district, allegedly due to the administration of expired Ringer’s Lactate.

With IANS inputs