Imphal, February 14, 2010: Procedural delay has been cited as the most potent threat to the establishment of a Dental College in RIMS as the Centre's intimations and subsequently deadline are yet to be complied with in a positive manner by the premier medical institute.

The Dental Council of India (DCI) and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had in separate directives reportedly asked RIMS authorities to initiate recruitment process and infrastructure development works which till date has not been complied with.

Significantly, the RIMS Director Dr L Fimate told reporters that relevant documents were sent to the Centre.

However, when some reporters desired that copies of the said documents be produced as proof of efficiency on the part of the RIMS authorities, the director conceded that due to misplacement the request could not be obliged.

According to an informed source, based on inspection report filed by its officials (inspectors) namely Dr V hazary and Dr RR Paul, the DCI Secretary on July 8 last forwarded the findings to the Secretary of Department of Health (DE Section), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Among others the report mentioned on the need for appointment of a professor, eight readers and procurement of nine dental chairs for the proposed Dental College's Department of Prosthodontics, which was also conveyed to RIMS authorities for necessary action.

In its communique, the Union Ministry directed RIMS authorities to complete the appointment and infrastructure development processes so as commence the College's 2010-2011 academic session, after due consent of the DCI.

The Ministry's communique was reportedly sent on August 29, 2009 by an Under Secretary and addressed to the RIMS Director with a firm instruction that 'compliance report' be made available to the Secretary, DCI.

As the compliance report was communicated, the DCI secretary sent a reminder on January 28 this year insisting that the said 'compliance report' be sent within 10 days along with presentation of information regarding RIMS' preparedness for setting up the Dental College.

Failure to provide a positive response to the DCI's communications would be assumed that RIMS' aspiration to have a dental college of its own has waned and that the DCI would recommend to the Central Government for scrapping the programme, mentioned the statement of reminder.

Disclosing that the DCI Secretary's communication cum reminder was received by the RIMS Director on February 2, the source opined that as neither the compliance report nor information on preparedness of RIMS to begin the Dental College session could be sent to the DCI even after lapse of the specified 10 days it is unlikely that the Dental College aspiration could become a reality.

Contrary to hardly any initiation from the RIMS authorities since August 29, 2009 communications from the DCI as well as the Union Ministry, an advertisement was published in the State dailies February 2, the same day the DCI's final reminder was received, for the post of one principal, three professors, six readers/associate professors and 18 lecturers/assistant professors for the Dental college, reminded the source.

However, the recruitment process has also been stalled for the time being owing to a pending court case.

Regarding visit of the two member DCI inspection team on proposed establishment of the dental College, the source asserted that apart from some minor requirements RIMS has most of the requisite infrastructures.

When the matter was put forth to the RIMS Director, Dr Fimate told The Sangai Express conceded that owing to certain legal complications it is unlikely that the Dental College's academic session would be possible in 2010-11. stating that under the objective of facilitating swift commencement of the 2010-11 academic session, hectic efforts were made for appointment of numerous teaching faculties only to be hampered by the court case, dr Fimate also expressed apprehension that in case the process gets further delayed Manipur may not have a Dental college of its own.

Confiding that only on fulfilment of the DCI criteria on the College the session could commence, he however said to plug the loopholes process had been set in motion for creation of posts apart from placing an order for supply of the nine dental chairs to an Imphal based firm, which is likely to provide the same within this month.

The Director further pointed out construction works for an OPD block, academic complex and requisite buildings were underway at an estimated cost of Rs 84 crore but the construction activities has ceased due to certain disturbances.

When queried whether the 'compliance report' has been submitted or consent of the DCI possessed, the Director informed that both the issues had been addressed.

He, however, could not produce copies of the communication maintaining that he had displaced it.

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