Monday, March 02, 2015

Paramedic college violated guidelines, reveals RTI

Times of India: Nainital: Monday, 02 March 2015.
Students of a paramedical institute in Haldwani have alleged that they have been cheated by the owner of the institute. The RTI filed by one of the students revealed that the institute which promises six different courses, including programs for operation theatre technician, X-Ray technician and nursing assistant, has violated norms of paramedic education.
The students told TOI that they were promised quality education and placement at the end of the one year course, however, even after it ended in August last year, the management kept postponing the final examinations which are still pending.
"We were promised placements in both public and private sector organizations but nothing has materialized," said Rohit Kumar (24), a student of diploma in medical laboratory technology at the Ratnashila Hospital and Paramedical Institute in Kathgharia, Haldwani.
The RTI revealed that the institute violated the Uttrakhand State Medical Faculty guidelines of having a minimum of a two year course for these subjects.
As per the guidelines laid by the Uttrakhand State Medical Faculty for paramedical courses like operation theatre technician, an applicant must have science subjects (PCB) in high school. The duration is also up to two years and not one year as stated in the institute's prospectus.
"The exams are scheduled for March and a notice has already been put up at the institute. Those who are blaming us should go and ask Karnataka State Open University about the delay in exams," said Ratna Pandey, manager of the institute.
Many students with humanities background were also given admission in various paramedical courses. "We paid Rs 45,000 as fee while the management had initially told us that the fee would be Rs 20,000. There was no faculty. We were even forced to do night duties in the name of internship," said Ashima Rawat (24), a student at the institute.
The students had submitted written requests to the district officials and police for action against the institute last month.