The state medical education department (MED) has issued a third show-cause notice to the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) in Mumbai, requesting an explanation regarding deficiencies discovered in its institutes and its relationship with the recently formed Association of CPS Affiliated Institutes. Responses from the CPS are due by April 14th.

After an investigation by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) revealed that several institutes were operating without the necessary number of beds or faculty, and that some were completely closed, the MED halted counseling for approximately 1,100 CPS seats. The Center has established an eight-member panel to examine issues connected to the 111-year-old Parel Institute despite the CPS challenging the notices in the Bombay high court.

The state informed the committee of shortcomings discovered in the institutions providing CPS courses during the panel’s first meeting in New Delhi. The state emphasized that no decision could be made to begin admissions because the situation was still under investigation and the CPS was approaching the HC.

According to a senior state official, the CPS has not addressed the majority of the MED’s concerns over its operation, shortcomings in the colleges, and records of affiliation fees obtained from institutions, among other things. The state sent the third notice earlier this week after CPS failed to provide adequate responses to the prior two.

The representative added that they are interested in learning more about CPS’s link with the association of affiliated colleges, an unregistered organization that has written to MMC to dispute their authority. The state is interested in hearing CPS’s position on that and has made it clear that no association, including CPS, may insist that neither MMC nor the state be allowed to inspect them. In the meantime, ideas for the future of CPS were explored in the Delhi meeting, including combining seats with the National Board of Examinations.

In summary, the MED is putting increasing pressure on the CPS due to issues with its institutes and its interactions with affiliated colleges. The third show-cause letter gives the CPS until April 14 to answer, but the case is already in court because the CPS has contacted the HC. The National Board of Examinations and the CPS may merge seats as part of future discussions on the CPS.