Lakhimpur: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has imposed a substantial fine of Rs 1 crore on Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital due to significant mismanagement issues.

The National Medical Commission (NMC), the highest authority for medical education regulation in India, conveyed its decision in a letter to the principal of Lakhimpur Medical College. The NMC also cautioned the institution that additional measures would be taken if it did not promptly resolve its outstanding dues and debts. The letter to the principal highlighted several serious issues impacting the college.

According to a recent report by Northeast Now, the dire situation at the medical college includes power outages during surgeries, understaffed departments, and frequent absences of both the principal and department heads.

Highlighting the concerning conditions at Lakhimpur Medical College, the Council's communication stressed the necessity for immediate corrective actions, as reported by Prag News.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) implemented the inclusion of financial sanctions within the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER 2023). The Commission outlined various penalties including issuing warnings to medical colleges for rectification or compliance, imposing monetary fines of up to Rs 1 crore, levying penalties of up to Rs 5 lakhs on faculty members for misconduct. Additionally, the NMC may withhold accreditation processes, suggest to the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) to pause application processes for new courses or seat increments, decrease student intake in subsequent academic years, halt admissions for specific courses, recommend permission withdrawals, or withhold/withdraw accreditation for a maximum of five academic years.

The stipulations regarding monetary penalties in the MSMER-2023 Regulations specified, "Monetary penalties not exceeding INR one crore per violation or act of omission by the medical institution.

Previously, medical colleges underwent physical inspections where assessment teams would visit and evaluate facilities. This method faced significant criticism for its susceptibility to bribery and corruption, with allegations that assessors accepted bribes in exchange for approving colleges. However, the new approach involves the Apex Medical Regulator transitioning towards online inspections and monitoring of compliance. With features such as AEBAS and a biometric attendance system, medical colleges are finding it challenging to employ ghost faculties.

Earlier this month, for the first time, in response to faculty and clinical material deficiencies, the National Medical Commission (NMC) enforced fines on medical colleges for violating the Maintenance of Standards of Medical Education Regulations, 2023 (MSMER) guidelines. The Commission imposed fines of up to Rs 3 lakh on government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, including those in Dharmapuri, Ramanathapuram, and Nagapattinam. Additionally, show-cause notices were issued to several other colleges for deficiencies in Aadhaar-based biometric attendance.

Recently, in light of critical faculty shortages and inadequate resources, the Commission took decisive action against government medical colleges in Chhattisgarh. The NMC imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Kanker Medical College, Rs 4 lakh on Durg Medical College, and Rs 3 lakh each on medical colleges in Bilaspur, Ambikapur, Mahasamund, and Jagdalpur. Furthermore, Mahasamund, Kanker, and Raigarh medical colleges received show-cause notices regarding faculty shortages.

Additionally, NMC's crackdown on Chhattisgarh Medical Colleges over faculty shortage and lack of essential resources has been noted.