Transport Minister Sushanta Choudhury strongly responded to a letter from Leader of Opposition Jitendra Choudhury, who had accused the government of privatizing a fully functional government medical college.
Addressing the allegations, Minister Choudhury criticized the principal opposition party, CPIM, for allegedly spreading misinformation ahead of the National Medical Council (NMC) delegates' visit.
He clarified that the state government lacks the authority to approve the establishment of medical colleges, a responsibility that solely lies with the NMC, formerly known as the Medical Council of India (MCI). He confirmed that NMC delegates are expected to inspect the proposed medical college site near Agartala.
Choudhury explained, “The Shantiniketan Medical College group, already active in medical education, has shown interest in setting up a college here and our government has supported this legally sound initiative.” He dismissed CPIM MLA’s allegations, highlighting that in various states, private medical colleges utilize government hospital infrastructure.
He cited examples from Kerala, where CPIM governs allowing private medical college students to observe autopsies in government facilities. Similarly, Bangalore’s Kasturba Medical College and several institutions in Pune and other cities have agreements with government medical colleges for educational purposes. Choudhury emphasized the need for private investment in Tripura's health sector to address the shortage of doctors.
He noted, “The combined 225 seats of Agartala Government Medical College and Tripura Medical College are insufficient. With WHO standards requiring one doctor per thousand people and our current ratio being one doctor per over three thousand people, we must encourage private sector involvement. Our health department’s 1,189 doctors are inadequate”, he said.
The Minister assured that the administration of Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital in Agartala would not be handed over to the Shantiniketan Medical College group.
He explained, “Similar to their operations in Bengal’s Bolpur, where they use a local government hospital for teaching, they aim to sign a MoU with Tripura’s health department for the same purpose at IGM Hospital. This agreement will not affect healthcare services.”
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.