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The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana govt initiates vigilance probe into private medical colleges over stipend denial and regulatory violations
A month after The Hindu reported systemic intimidation tactics employed by private medical colleges in Telangana, the State government has initiated a State-wide vigilance inquiry into these institutions amid a surge of student complaints over stipend denial and violations of regulatory standards. Pvt medical colleges submitted fabricated info According to a senior Health department official, the decision was prompted by internal assessments which revealed that over half of the 29 private medical colleges in the State had submitted fabricated information in response to official notices. These notices had sought detailed explanations on 17 parameters, including stipend disbursement, patient care quality, faculty availability, clinical infrastructure, biometric attendance systems, and the constitution of key regulatory committees within institutions. 'Only four colleges were found to be compliant with the prescribed norms,' the official said, noting that the responses received from the remaining were largely unsatisfactory and misleading. The findings point to a broader pattern of institutional neglect, where both undergraduate and postgraduate students are being denied stipends and made to train in substandard clinical environments, the official added. Some of the troubling revelations came directly from postgraduate students, who deposed before vigilance authorities. In one such instance, an inspection at a private medical college in Suraram exposed severe discrepancies in stipend disbursal and academic governance, prompting the State to widen the probe and initiate raids across other private colleges. Simultaneously, the government has directed the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) to begin formal proceedings against defaulting institutions. Committees and infra either absent or non-functional The inquiry has cast a spotlight on the failure of several colleges to adhere to National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. Mandatory bodies such as anti-ragging committees, internal complaints committees to address sexual harassment, hospital infection control teams, and standard diagnostic services, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and lab facilities, were either absent or non-functional in many institutions, the official informed. One of the key triggers for the crackdown has been the violation of a Government Order (GO) issued in 2023, which mandated that MBBS interns in both government and private colleges be paid a stipend of ₹25,906 per month. This figure was revised to ₹29,792 through a GO issued on June 28, 2025. Students have alleged that institutions, while appearing to comply on paper, were forcing interns to return a portion of the amount in cash. In some cases, students claimed that while ₹25,000 was credited to their accounts, ₹20,000 was taken back by the college management in cash. Such malpractice was reported at Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences (CAIMS) in Karimnagar, where 64 MBBS interns were suspended for a week on July 1 after protesting non-payment of stipends. Amid these developments, the NMC chairman, during a recent visit to Hyderabad, reiterated that stipend payment is non-negotiable and binding for all institutions. Potential consequences of persistent violations 'If colleges are found guilty of persistent violations, they could face cancellation of their affiliation certificates by KNRUHS, and the Essentiality Certificates granted by the State. This, in turn, could prompt the NMC to withdraw their operational licences entirely,' the health department official warned.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Commercial movies, TV serials cannot be shot in forests and other protected areas, says Kerala High Court
Maintaining that a 2013 Government Order (GO) on filming of commercial movies and TV serials in forest areas, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves did not have the force of law, the Kerala High Court has held that there is no legislation that permitted the shooting of commercial movies in such places. The State government's reliance on the GO and a fee that had been prescribed for shooting movies in such protected areas is without statutory support and a clear policy framework. Permitting commercial filmmaking and TV serials cannot be approached in a pedantic manner, and the State has to consider not only the statutory provision but also the settled principles of environmental governance, the court said. It further directed the government to issue appropriate follow-up instructions in this regard to Forest department officials within four weeks. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive disposing of a petition by Angels Nair, general secretary of Animal Legal Force Integration, Ernakulam, challenging the permission granted to shoot a movie in a forest area.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Health minister meets Advocate General to discuss legal strategy on local quota
In a bid to defend the interests of Telangana students in the ongoing legal battle over local quota in medical admissions, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha along with Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu held a meeting with Advocate General (AG) A. Sudarshan Reddy on Monday (July 28). The discussion, held ahead of a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for August 5, focused on the State's legal strategy to uphold Government Order (GO) 33. The GO, introduced last year, was aimed at ensuring that medical seats reserved under the State quota are allotted exclusively to local students. The policy is currently facing a legal challenge from students studying in other States who are seeking inclusion in Telangana's local quota. During the meeting, the Minister urged the Advocate General to present strong arguments in court to protect the rights of Telangana's students. He also suggested that the government consider engaging senior legal experts, if required, to strengthen the case in the Supreme Court.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Association of University Teachers protests delay in CAS promotions, dues
COIMBATORE: The Association of University Teachers (AUT) held a protest in front of the regional joint director of collegiate education in Coimbatore on Monday demanding the implementation of the career advancement scheme (CAS) and the disbursal of pending dues for teachers in govt-aided colleges. AUT zone VII representatives later submitted a petition to regional joint director N Shenbagalakshmi. They highlighted that more than 5,000 teachers in 162 aided colleges had been denied CAS promotions, pay and arrears for over four years. This severely impacted the career growth of faculty members, despite the issuance of the govt order (GO) No 5 in 2021, which covers both govt and aided college teachers. AUT zone VII secretary K Saravanakumar called the unequal implementation of the GO a betrayal and criticised the govt for ignoring the concerns of aided college teachers. He said several senior faculty members were unable to apply for key academic posts due to the delay in promotions. The association alleged that the joint director's office was refusing to accept CAS proposals, citing internal orders to restrict funds to salaries alone. AUT further raised concerns over the non-payment of incentive allowances for teachers holding MPhil and PhD degrees, which they say is discouraging research activity in the state. AUT plans to intensify protests, with a state-level demonstration scheduled in Chennai on August 7.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Health Department recalls services of 28 employees deputed as Food Safety Officers
The State Health Department has recalled the services of 28 employees, who were deployed on deputation in the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department to serve as Food Safety Officers (FSOs). This follows a review of the service particulars of these officers deputed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. According to a government order (GO) issued on July 23, these officers did not possess the educational qualifications prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011, at the time of their functional appointment or deputation to the Food Safety and Drug Administration department. Further, some among them have obtained degrees from open or distance education institutions but that is done without prior departmental approval, which renders their qualifications ineligible under the rules in force. The officers had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking regularisation of their services as FSOs and also a revision of pay scale. However, the Court rejected their petition. It said 'they were not regularly recruited, appointed, or absorbed into the said posts in accordance with the Cadre and Recruitment Rules, 2015. Besides, they also did not possess the required qualifications at the time of their functional appointment or deputation,' the GO stated. 'In view of their ineligibility for regularisation and in the interest of legal and administrative propriety, the government has ordered that they should be repatriated with immediate effect to their parent department (Health and Family Welfare Department). The repatriated officers should report to the State Health Commissioner for further posting through counselling. The Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, should take necessary action to relieve the 28 officers and ensure that all statutory enforcement functions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are reassigned to the concerned Taluk Health Officers (THOs) with immediate effect, until further orders. Further, the THOs who are assigned the responsibility of Food Safety Officers should undergo the required training,' the GO stated. Deputation period Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, told The Hindu that as per Rule 16 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, the permissible maximum deputation period of eight years, including extensions, has already been completed in respect of these officers. 'In light of the above and considering the potential legal complications arising from the continued discharge of statutory enforcement functions by ineligible personnel, it is concluded that their deputation as food safety officers cannot be continued any further. Therefore, action has been initiated to repatriate such officers to their parent cadre in the Health and Family Welfare Department,' he said.
