Ayurvedic colleges in State face closure threat, Permission for six colleges cancelled.

Vijayawada, Nov 01: All except one Ayurvedic College in the State are on the verge of closure with the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) withdrawing permission for intake of undergraduate (degree) and post-graduate students for 2011-12 academic year.

Ironically, the counselling for the post-graduate seats began at the Dr. N.T.R. University of Health Sciences here, but only for a few seats in one private college, amid careless attitude of the State government in fulfilling the norms with regard to number of beds in attached hospitals and faculty, though it was feasible, sources said.

Lack of faculty, beds

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, has cancelled permission for three Government Ayurvedic Colleges in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Warangal and three private Ayurvedic colleges in Medak, Karimnagar and Bollikunta (Warangal) on the grounds that they do not have the stipulated faculty and the teaching hospitals do not have the stipulated number of beds.

The S.V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati, is the only college that has been granted permission to admit 40 students to BAMS course, six students into PG Rasashastra and six more into PG Dravyaguna. But, even this college has not been permitted to admit students into PG courses in Panchakarma, Kaumarbhritya, Shalya Tantra-Kshar avum Anushastra Karmna and Ayurved Siddhanta.

Seats denied

CCIM member M.L. Naidu told The Hindu that permission had not been granted to admit students to 280 BAMS seats and 14 PG seats.

He said the Central government did not grant permission because of shortage of eligible faculty and bed-strength.

Ineligible teachers

Five of the teachers at the Hyderabad College were found to be ineligible, according to CCIM Assessment Visitation Reports.

Similarly, four staff members in Vijayawada Government College do not have the stipulated qualifications and six in the Warangal College.

When it comes to bed-strength, the hospital of the Hyderabad College was short of 35 beds and in Vijayawada 50 beds were short.

Mr Naidu said that unless the State government took the initiative, filled the vacant posts and provided additional beds, these colleges would be in trouble.

Consent to three government and three private colleges in State withdrawn.

S.V. Ayurvedic College given permission to admit 40 students to BAMS course, 12 to PG courses.

Source : The Hindu