Jharkhand News: State’s 1st Paramedical Institute project hangs in balance

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, June 20: The project of Jharkhand’s first Para medical institute for a degree course at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) Dhanbad hangs in balance due to the apathetic attitude of the state government as well as health department officials.

In 2017-18 an MoU was signed at the secretary level of Jharkhand and central government for setting up the first Para Medical Institute of Jharkhand in Dhanbad for degree courses as a joint venture.

However, due to the indifferent attitude of the Jharkhand government, the project is still incomplete in 7 years. Though the first phase of the project is completed, the lack of power connection building, hostel, conference hall and other infrastructure are lying idle.

On September 29, 2023, the then additional chief secretary health Arun Kumar Singh had inspected SNMMCH and he was duly informed that due to electric connection Para Medical Institute building is lying unused. But he did nothing for the project.

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Paramedical students live in rented houses

Though the 80 room hostel is completed, students of Para medical diploma course are living in a rented house off campus. They have been agitating for the allotment of rooms. In May students forcibly entered the hostel and occupied the rooms. However, on intervention of SNMMCH principal Dr Jyotiranjan Prasad and Paramedical course coordinator Dr Gansish Kumar students vacated the hostel.

However, the power connection was not restored in the hostel building.

On Wednesday (June 19) a delegation of Para Medical Students Association led by its secretary Raju Mahto handed over a memorandum to the director-in-chief of health Dr CK Shahi at Ranchi and requested him to allot the hostel.

Principal finally takes over building

Coordinator of Paramedical course SNMMCH Dr Ganesh Kumar said that principal Dr Jyotiranjan Prasad took charge of building last month and has demanded funds from the state government for installation of transformer as well as power connection.

“As power connection is restored in the building, hostel rooms would be allotted to students duly,” said Dr Ganesh Kumar.

The SNMMCH authorities had refused to take over the building from the contractor as it was incomplete and without power connection. However, what compelled the principal to take over building last month is seen as a surprise in college circles.