The Union Health Ministry has disapproved proposals to establish 83 medical colleges . The decision was made on the recommendations of Medical Council of India (MCI).
The Ministry also turned down permissions to increase the student strength of MBBS students for the academic session 2016-17. 47 medical colleges in various states were seeking the approval of Union Health Ministry to expand their student intake.
39 medical institutions that were seeking approval for starting numerous super-speciality courses were also denied the permission by the Health Ministry on recommendations of India's medical regulator. The institutions were planning to either increase their count or start super-speciality courses from the academic session 2016-17.
The Ministry did approved the setting up of 11 medical colleges for 2016-17.
The Ministry in its letter to the 83 establishments, stated, "I am directed to enclose copy of letter of MCI containing its recommendations to disapprove your scheme for establishment of new medical college...
"...and to say that the Central government has decided to accept the recommendation of MCI. Accordingly disapproval of your said scheme is conveyed herewith," the letters said.
The letter also mentioned that the college or institution can apply anew with fresh applications for the academic session 2017-18. The applications must strictly comply the provisions of IMC Act 1956, said the letter.
The MCI recommended the Health Ministry to reject the proposals based on an evaluation that aimed at checking the practice of "ghost" faculties. MCI asked all medical colleges to provide all details regarding their faculty in two days’ time in order to upload the information on its website. The evaluation was done to achieve more transparency.