According to former standing committee chairman Ajay Choksi, another reason for the delay was because the law ministry had apparently questioned the SMC that if the Bombay Provincial Municipal Committee Act allowed civic bodies to run medical colleges.

``But the law ministry has not raised a valid point as the BPMC Act does not restrict civic bodies to run a medical college. After all, the Ahmedabad and Mumbai Municipal Corporation -- which also run medical colleges -- are also governed by the BPMC Act,'' said Choksi.

Despite this query, which is yet to be answered, the Director of Health Vineet Chaudhary had okayed the file and forwarded it, Choksi claimed.

Meanwhile, Surat Mayor Bhikhabhai Boghra has reportedly sought an appointment with secretary of health ministry, Javed Chaudhary to expedite the process. But despite repeated efforts, the mayor could not be contacted for comments.

When contacted, Municipal commissioner G P Mohapatra said while the SMC had completed all the basic formalities and had both physical and financial capability to run a medical college, a proposal to this effect had been sent to the State government, which in turn had forwarded it to ministry of health.

But it was the MCI which was supposed to give the final nod following an inspection, Mohapatra said, adding that he could not comment on when the team was expected to visit Surat or when the college would start.

Earlier, talking to reporters on Friday evening, Mohapatra said, ``Efforts are on to set up a medical college in the city. Like its counterparts in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, the SMC can also run a medical college as it has the basic infrastructure, including the necessary facilities and a hostel.'' Even senior councillors seemed confident that the SMC would get the permission.

It was on occasion of Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana's 60th birthday that his followers announced to open a self-financed medical college. However, the standing committee in civic body then passed a resolution which also proposed the setting up of a medical college at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crores.

Jagadeesan, who is said to have prompted the elected wing (read Hajurias) to prepare a proposal to seek permission to run a medical college, is reportedly still ``following the development in Surat''. According to Leader of the house in the SMC, Shanker Chevli, Jagadeesan had visited Delhi twice to expedite the process.

Not only Congress Councillor Bhupendra Solanki, a section of BJP councillors too were not enthusiastic about the project as ``it was unviable''.