Recognition of Medical Colleges: MCI Oversight Committee Recommendations Can't Be Overlooked: SC Tells Centre [Read Judgment]

While observing that the oversight committee recommendations cannot be disregarded, the Supreme Court has directed the Central Government to consider afresh materials on record pertaining to the issue of confirmation or otherwise of the letter of permission granted to the colleges/institutions, which was earlier cancelled by the government.

The conditional permission granted to some colleges for the establishment of the medical colleges for academic year 2016-17, on the basis of the approval of the oversight committee, was cancelled by the Central Government and these colleges were debarred from admitting students in the next two academic years i.e. 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra observed that the oversight committee constituted by the apex court is also empowered to oversee all statutory functions under the Act and further all policy decisions of the MCI would require its approval and recommendations on the issue of establishment of a medical college.

It can by no means be disregarded or left out of consideration, a three-judge bench said, while observing that the oversight committee is also empowered to issue appropriate remedial directions.

The court further observed that the materials on record, bearing on the claim of the petitioner institutions/colleges for confirmation of the conditional letters of permission granted to them, require a fresh consideration to obviate the possibility of any injustice in the process.

Earlier, another three-judge bench had referred to the constitution bench a query whether the oversight committee should continue to supervise functioning of Medical Council of India. Read Live Law report here.