SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Nov 25: Extension of professors’ and associate professors’ contracts in Jharkhand government-owned five medical colleges of state has been hanging in balance.
Contracts expired on Oct 31, 2023
The contract of professors and associate professors working in Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) Jamshedpur, Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad, Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) Hazaribagh, Mednirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Palamu and Phulo Janho Medical College Hospital (PJMCH) Dumka ended on October 31.
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Contracts neither terminated nor extended
However, the health department has neither extended their contract nor terminated it to date (November 25).
No action despite Joint Secretary’s assurance
On November 3, the principals of all five medical colleges raised this issue at the monthly meeting with senior authorities of the health department.
The Joint Secretary of the government, Alok Trivedi, assured them that an extension letter would be issued soon. But even after 22 days of the Joint Secretary’s assurance, no directive over the extension of contractual professors, or assistant professors has reached to concerned principals.
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Professors still taking classes voluntarily
However, even after the completion of their contract agreement (on October 31), these professors and associate professors have been attending classes from November 1, in their respective medical colleges in the wake of students’ examinations without fail and mining outcomes.
A contractual professor of a medical college said that the principal has not given any assurance for an extension of contact. “We are continuing to take classes voluntarily. Whatever the government instruction comes, we will follow,” he said.
Contract renewal necessary to save colleges from de-recognition
The fate of at least three medical colleges, SBMCH Hazaribagh, MMCH Palamu and PJMCH Dumka, is attached with the extension of the contract of these professors and associate professors as these institutions are completely dependent on them due to a lack of teachers.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) gave admission approval in 2021 on the condition of fulfilling teachers’ deficiencies. Since regular teachers are not coming to Jharkhand from other states, an extension of the contract of these retired professors and associate professors is the only option to save the institutions from de-recognition.
