Wednesday, December 7 2005 15:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government will consider setting up a Commission and undertaking a survey to look into complaints of infrastructure deficiencies of private medical colleges and sub-standard education provided by them.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Health Minister A Ramadoss said though permission for setting up a medical college was a state subject and the Centre gives clearances on recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI), "we will not shy away from the responsibility, we are trying to restructure the system."

"MCI feels that the ministry is an arm of it. We have to take proposed amendments in the MCI Act as a whole to regulate the system. Only thereafter the quality can improve," he said.

Earlier, CPI member Gurudas Dasgupta demanded that the Centre should take a survey of private medical colleges to look into complaints of infrastructure deficiences, lack of hospitals, laboratories etc.

The government should also cancel licenses of substandard institutions, he said.

Dasgupta's concerns were shared by other members who wanted Government to take a stringent action on complaints of deficiencies in private medical colleges.

Some cases had been referred to CBI, Ramdoss said and assured e House that MCI would be made accountable to government and the people.