Assam health and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the hospital section of the new medical college at Diphu will start functioning from November this year.
Minister Sarma said this while participating in a massive plantation as part of the 60th Van Mahotsav at Assam Hills Medical College and Research Institute, Diphu on Thursday.
Sarma said, “This coming November or December, the Medical Council of India (MCI) will come for inspection. If MCI finds it satisfactory, then we can start classes from August 2020 and students can take admission.”
“By November 30, we are planning to start the hospital section of the college. To start the hospital section, we don’t need permission from the MCI, but for the medical college, we need their permission,” the health minister said.
He also said, “There is the Medical & Health Recruitment Board and by August or September 15, we will be able to start the recruitment process for the medical college.”
“To fill up the posts for Grade III & IV, there will be both written and oral interview. But we have kept a condition that the candidates should be a bona fide resident of Karbi Anglong,” he added.
“80 to 90 per cent posts will go to candidates of Karbi Anglong. But in the technical posts if there would be no candidates available from within the district then we will bring in candidates from outside,” the minister said.
He also said, “I want to tell the people of Karbi Anglong that jobs might not be available to all, but I appeal to all for saving the medical college.”
Stating that he visited the medical college site for 15 times in the last three years, Sarma said doctors and nurses would come to the hospital to work but the people of the district would have to take care of it.
Sarma said after the start of the medical college, the government is planning to set up a dental institute, B.Sc nursing centre and a cancer institute in Karbi Anglong.
“The setting up of a cancer institute here will start from this September or November,” said Sarma.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited for the inauguration of the medical college, said minister Sarma.
Earlier, the chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, emphasized the need for re-creating green environment.
He said, “Without trees, there will be no water. Rivers and streams will dry up. In the free space of 20 bighas inside the medical college campus, we have planted trees to create greenery.”
Earlier, minister Sarma took part in sapling plantation in which students of various schools of Diphu town, Anganwadi and ASHA workers, nurses and forest staff participated.
Sarma also inspected the progress of work at the college.
Minister Sarma also inaugurated the Karbi Anglong Aquacentric Park at Rukasen in Karbi Anglong.
The event was also attended by CEM, KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang; hills area development minister Sum Ronghang and others.
Earlier, minister Sarma attended the bhumi pujan at Assam Rifles 1st Gate, 4th Mile to mark the foundation stone laying of the office of BJP East Karbi Anglong District Committee.
The ruling party in Karbi Anglong will now have a permanent address and building of its own.