Vijayapura: The indifference of the state govt towards the demand for a govt medical college in Vijayapura, solely run by the govt, coupled with police action against people seeking to establish the medical college in the city, has angered the locals.On Jan 1, a group of agitators had set out for a protest demonstration in front of district minister MB Patil despite police denying permission. There was a scuffle between the agitators and police when the police tried to stop the demonstrators. Sanganabasava Swami of Hunshyal Mutt and five others were arrested, and sent into judicial custody, after the Swami allegedly slapped a sub-inspector. Next morning, the tent where the agitators were sitting was dismantled.Several organisations strongly condemned the police action and have demanded the release of those arrested. The agitation has been halted for now, but the locals have warned of intensifying the agitation in other forms.Chief minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit Vijayapura on Jan 9 to launch several development works, and people expect him to clarify the govt’s stand on the medical college during his visit.The state govt had announced that it would establish a medical college on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The people of the district opposed the idea of PPP model for the medical college. as this model would allow private sector run the college, which would aim at profit making. This would not help the economically weak, meritorious students.When the govt didn’t reply to the pleas to drop the idea of PPP model, people came together to form a forum and launched a sit-in dharna which entered the 106th day on Jan 1. Vijayapura has a well-equipped govt hospital and 150 acres of land for the construction of medical college. This will reduce the financial burden on the govt to a great extent. “The govt’s intention behind a medical college on PPP model defies logic. The govt needs to spend just Rs 50-100 crore for the necessary infrastructure. The citizens’ demand is justified. Petty politics should not deprive the people,” said senior journalist Gopal Naik.“Vijayapura district has 13 taluks and around 2,000 villages. People from the district are forced to go to Bengaluru or Pune to consult with specialists. A govt medical college in the district will help bring back doctors from the district who have moved outside,” Naik said.
