SHILLONG, APR 20: The Hynniewtrep People’s Federation (HPF) questioned the state government’s decision to sign an agreement under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for the proposed setting up of Shillong Medical College.
Similar medical college will also be at Tura, West Garo Hills District but will be fully funded and owned by the state government.
“We demand the state government to come out clear and clarify the reason behind its different decision with regards to setting up of medical colleges at Shillong and the one at Tura, within one month,” HPF president Tyngshain Lapang told reporters at a news conference on Monday.
Lapang said the HPF suspects that there is a hidden agenda behind the two different decision taken by the government. He said, “We are of the opinion that setting up of the Shillong Medical College under PPP mode will give rise to many problems which will affect the aspiring medical students from the state and region.”
According to Lapang, there will be a vast in term of donation for admission into the MBBS course between the one owned by the private companies and the one under the state government.
The letter of award for setting up the Shillong Medical College to KPC Medical College and Hospital, Jadavpur was issued on October 19, 2012 and the Concessionaires Agreement was signed on November 2, 2012.
The agreement was signed for the development of a hospital and medical college under PPP arrangement at the site where the Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong is presently located.
Fearing that the Shillong Medical College might face the same fate as many projects taken by the state government under PPP mode which are allegedly unsuccessful, Lapang said, “Till today, the content of the agreement signed with the KPC is yet to be made public by the government.”
The decision to oppose the PPP mode was take after the HPF inspection and its members alleged that there is no sign that the project would take off soon despite the government’s announcement.
Lapang said, “The contention of the organization is that the state government should use the same yard stick to both the medical colleges – at Tura and Shillong.”
Lapang said the HPF wants the Shillong Medical College should also be run and funded by the state government in the interest of the aspiring students and the state. He also criticized the government for its failing to call a public hearing before taking the decision.
Lapang demanded the state government convenes a public hearing on whether the SMC should be under PPP mode or not.- By Our Reporter
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