The government has decided to formulate strict rules for those wanting to set up new self-financed medical, dental or physiotherapy colleges in Gujarat. A Government Resolution (GR) containing some strict provisions in this regard has been issued.

According to the GR, any private organisation wanting to establish a self-financed medical college in the state will have to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 4 crore to the government. The bank guarantee amount for a private dental and a physiotherapy college has been fixed at Rs 2 crore and Rs one crore respectively.

The duration of bank guarantee will be six years and its computerised register will be maintained by the state Additional Director (medical education). The government has also decided to take the possession of land, building and properties of a private organisation in case it fails to run the college in the absence of necessary clearances and approval by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the GR says.

It has also been decided to set up a panel comprising three Class-I doctors to regularly carry out checks and monitor the functioning of the colleges. If the new colleges are found violating the MCI norms and standards, the state Health Commissioner will initiate necessary action against their management.

Justifying the move, state Health Commissioner Amarjit Singh said it was aimed at preventing “fly-by-night operators” from setting up new medical, dental or physiotherapy colleges in the state.

Citing an instance of a self-financed medical college that was recently closed down at Valia in Bharuch district, Singh said the new rules of furnishing a bank guarantee by any prospective private organisation will certainly help prevent such incidents and protect the interests of the students.

Meanwhile, the authorities of private medical colleges denied any knowledge of such a notification being issued by the state government on Monday.