MPs welcome Bill for upgradation of JIPMER

New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) Members in the Lok Sabha, cutting across parties, today welcomed the Government's move to upgrade the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, to the status of an institution of national importance and called for granting it more budgetary allocation and autonomy.

Initiating the discussion on the Bill moved by Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, Mr Khiren Rijju (BJP) said JIPMER which was established along with AIIMS and PGI, Chandigarh, today lagged behind in terms of infrastructure and funds.

Pointing out that while Rs 300 crore was allocated for AIIMS in the present budget, only Rs 56 crore was earmarked for JIPMER, he stressed that both the Institutes should be treated at par.

He also said that JIPMER should be granted more autonomy so that it could go for recruitment of best professionals and paramedics available, instead of waiting for clearance from Director General, Health in Delhi.

Mr Rijju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh also called for recognition of 'amchi medical practice' or sowa rigpa, which means 'science of healing' in regional Himalayan and Central Asian languages and dialects.

He said this traditional system of medicine was very popular in the hilly region. But even though of Indian origin, it was being widely patented by China, he said and asked the Government to give it due importance.

Joining the discussion, Mr S K Kharventhan (Congress), called upon the Government to establish more medical, dental and nursing colleges as the fees charged by the private colleges were beyond the reach of the poor.

Welcoming the bill, Dr Ramachandra Dome (CPI-M) said JIPMER had been facing several constraints like shortage of funds, faculty etc and therefore services rendered by it were affected.

He also commended the Government for incorporating 34 amendments as suggested by the Standing Committee, especially the one providing reservation of 20 out of every 75 seats for the local population.

Stating that awarding autonomy was not enough, he called for more financial allocation for the Institute. He said vacant posts must be filled up soon to ensure good service.

He also called upon the Health Minister to revoke the suspension on vaccine production undertaken at the three centres at Kannur, Chennai and Kasauli in the country.

MORE UNI MMG PK BD1755