Dismantling of classes of old GMC campus Rajouri evokes strong criticism

Rajouri, June 24: Sudden dismantling of classrooms in makeshift campus of Government Medical College Rajouri has evoked a strong reaction from civil society members who are concerned over destruction of a well equipped space that can be used for any purpose.

The hospital authorities however informed that the classrooms were established when the makeshift campus was located here in the hospital which is now shifted to the main campus of college in Maira village of Rajouri.

The Government Medical College Rajouri was established five years ago and was started in a makeshift campus setup in Associated Hospital of GMC in Kheora area of Rajouri and some classrooms were also established in this makeshift campus which were used for teaching and learning process of medical students.

On Monday, photographs and videos of work going on in these classrooms went viral in which laborers can be seen dismantling the rooms and removing the property.

The matter however has sparked reaction from civil society members who raised their concern towards dismantling of well equipped property of classrooms in the institute.

"The classrooms in makeshift campus could have been used for some better purpose as the same were equipped properly but the authorities are dismantling it which is a cause of concern and higher authorities should look into the matter," a civil society member Mohammad Anis said.

Meanwhile, the hospital authorities have shared an official version informing that a laboratory is being established at the site.

"This was the administrative block of the then District Hospital Rajouri which was remodeled and converted as a makeshift centre for MBBS classes after the upgradation of district hospital as Associated Hospital GMC Rajouri," the administration of the hospital said.

It added that after completion and functioning of Government Medical College at Mehra, the part of the makeshift centre is to be remodeled under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Health Infrastructure management to establish a district integrated public health lab by Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation in the interest of patient care.

" This is keeping in view the acute space constraint in the already existing hospital building," the administration informed.