MUMBAI, Aug 15: Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association (MSMTA) is on a course of confrontation against the Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party Government over the latter's decision to appoint a record number of 60 honorary professors at the Grant Medical College and J J Group of Hospitals.

On one hand, the alliance government was not taking any steps to fill up the 800 vacant posts of full time teachers in government-run medical colleges in the State, on the other hand, it has decided to appoint 60 honorary teachers at the Grant Medical College, MSMTA pointed out in a memorandum.

On the pretext of non-availability of full time teachers, the alliance government is appointing honorary teachers.

``We are shocked at the stand taken by the government. If the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which also runs medical colleges in the metropolis, can do away with the honorary system, why it should not be possible for the State government,'' the MSMTA stated.

Medical teachers feel that the alliance government has not taken serious note of their plight despite the fact that both Health Minister Daulatrao Aher and his deputy Manikrao Gavit are themselves doctors by profession.

While Aher was a ENT surgeon before joining politics, Gavit was associate professor of Medicine, Government Medical College, Aurangabad.

Besides the Medical Education Department, the memorandum has also been submitted to the Centre as well as the Medical Council of India, according to a senior office bearer of MSMTA.

He pointed out that in 1973, the government had taken a policy decision to do away with the system of honorary teachers and replace them by full time teachers in a phased manner so that they devote more time for research and teaching activities. Then it was decided that the government will not appoint any honorary teacher after 1995.

However, much to the surprise of the MSMTA members, the Centre extended the honorary system by five years. ``We feel that the State government has taken advantage of the fresh circular from the Centre. But we are of the firm opinion that the interpretation of the Centre's directive by the State government was wrong. `

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.