Maharashtra Government Allows CPS to Restart 10 Medical Courses

The State Medical Education Department in Maharashtra has authorized the recommencement of 10 CPS courses after discussions with the CPS committee. These courses encompass a range of fellowships and diplomas spanning disciplines such as dermatology, gynecology, surgery, pathology, medicine, ophthalmology, and child health.

Following the derecognition of all 26 courses provided by the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) in the state, the state medical education department has now authorized the resumption of 10 courses eight months later. This decision came after the recently appointed CPS committee convened with the medical education secretary on March 11.

As per the gazette notification issued on March 15, approximately 175-180 public and private medical institutions in Maharashtra are permitted to resume offering CPS courses. These courses include fellowships in dermatology, midwifery, gynecology, pathology, surgery, medicine, and ophthalmology, along with diploma courses in gynecology and obstetrics, pathology and bacteriology, and child health.

Dr. Ajay Devidasrao Sambre, the recently appointed president of CPS, expressed satisfaction regarding the resumption of these ten courses, emphasizing that they are recognized by the central government and welcoming the decision by the medical education department to allow their reinstatement in the state.

Established in 1912, CPS functions as an examination body empowered to grant degrees under the Indian Medical Degrees Act of 1916. According to reports by HT on October 28, the decision to derecognize CPS courses had sparked a power struggle between Girish Mahajan and Hasan Mushrif, two senior cabinet ministers in the state. The courses offered by CPS were revoked during Mahajan’s tenure as the state medical education minister, while Mushrif currently holds the position of state medical education minister.

Following the assumption of office by the new committee, CPS approached Dinesh Waghmare, the medical education secretary, to request a meeting and present their case once more. Dr. Dilip Mhaisekar, Director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, along with a representative from the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), attended this meeting.

“We were successful in highlighting the procedural flaws that led to the derecognition of CPS courses, as well as the incorrect standards imposed upon us. Consequently, Mr. Waghmare agreed to resume the centrally recognized courses,” stated Dr. Sambre. He further added, “We are actively engaging with the state medical education department to initiate the admission process promptly, considering the backlog of admissions from 2022.”

Dr. Sambre expressed optimism regarding the resumption of other CPS courses shortly. “The secretary has indicated a willingness to hear our perspective on the other courses. We remain optimistic about their swift resumption,” he remarked.

CPS has taken the matter to the Bombay High Court (HC) to contest the derecognition of its courses. Additionally, Dr. Suhas Pingle, a former MMC member, has filed a plea through advocate Madhav Thorat opposing the petition. Dr. Pingle’s plea highlighted concerns about CPS allegedly training students in small clinics before awarding degrees, and he urged for the institute to be either closed down or taken over by the state government “in the larger public interest” to uphold the standards of medical education. The next hearing in court is scheduled for the first week of April.