CAG finds lapses in dental education

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticised the Union health ministry for allowing 13 new dental colleges to start functioning despite the statutory body for dental education recommending against it.

Dental Council of India (DCI), the statutory body, had rejected licences of 13 new dental colleges after conducting inspections across the country. These colleges did not have enough medical, dental and paramedical staff and lacked infrastructure like college buildings, libraries, hospitals and clinical equipment like dental chairs.

Eleven of the 13 colleges moved Supreme Court. On directions of the apex court, the Union health ministry formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which pointed out deficiencies in five colleges. The ministry, however, granted permission to all the colleges.