THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, January 29: The Jharkhand government has notified J Srinivas Rao as the new principal of Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Daltonganj.
According to an official notification issued by the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Planning, Dr Rao will assume charge on January 31, 2026. The notification was issued on December 24, 2025, by senior department official Anand Kumar Sinha.
Background of the New Principal
Dr Rao is currently serving as a professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at MGM Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur.
The present principal of MMCH, P N Mahto, will retire on January 30, 2025, marking the end of an eventful tenure.
During his term, Dr Mahto placed strong emphasis on campus discipline and on medical students’ regular attendance in lecture theatres and laboratories—measures that reportedly yielded positive academic outcomes.
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Protests and Controversies
However, his tenure was also marked by repeated protests and agitations by medicos, particularly over his strict enforcement of safety rules such as compulsory helmet use while riding two-wheelers and a complete ban on triple riding.
Speaking earlier to The Jharkhand Story Network, Dr Mahto had said, “My own medicos turned hostile over helmet rules meant for their safety. What was sincere advice was perceived as dictatorial.”
He also expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of support from sections of the faculty during times of crisis.
Hostel Raid During Tenure
It was during Dr Mahto’s tenure that Sulochana Meena, then SDM Sadar, conducted a late-night raid on boys’ and girls’ hostels in 2025, during which objectionable items were reportedly recovered.
Following the incident, students blamed the principal, though officials noted the need for introspection regarding hostel discipline.
With Dr Rao set to take over, expectations are high regarding administrative continuity and improved academic governance at MMCH.