THE Swadhin Trust, a Kolkata-based financial firm with questionable credentials, has recently launched a medical college in Agartala under the name Shantiniketan Medical College. This institution has utilised the infrastructure, including newly constructed multi-storied buildings, originally developed by the Left Front government for upgrading health services at IGM Hospital (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital). IGM Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals established by the Royal administration in Agartala, was originally known as ‘Victoria Memorial Hospital.’

Over a year ago, the Swadhin Trust enlisted brokers to find land for their proposed medical college. These brokers, primarily ruling party activists, targeted a suburban area in Madhuban GP under Dukli Block of Sadar Sub-Division. They pressured landowners into selling their property at significantly below-market rates. The brokers then resold this land to the Trust at a higher price, effectively depriving the landowners of fair compensation. The Trust proceeded with construction on this land, branding the site as Shantiniketan Medical College despite lacking the necessary approvals from the state government or the Medical Council of India (MCI).

In response to a question raised by Jitendra Chaudhury, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, on March 5, 2024, the government stated that while the Swadhin Trust had applied for permission to establish a private medical college in West Tripura district, the application had not been approved as of that date.

While construction of the proposed medical college began on their own land in Madhuban, residents were surprised to find a display board reading ‘Shantiniketan Medical College’ at the IGM Hospital building one morning.

While the addition of another medical college in the state is generally welcomed, it is problematic to transfer an existing, fully operational government hospital to a private entity, especially if it compromises the essential services the hospital provides to underserved populations. IGM Hospital is already stretched to its limits, handling indoor and outdoor services such as medicine, surgery, maternal and child care, and ophthalmology. Additionally, the hospital currently accommodates a dental college and a nursing college. 

Malay Pit, the proprietor of Swadhin Trust and chairman of Tripura Santiniketan Medical College, is alleged to be a close associate of Anubrata Mandal, a TMC leader from Birbhum, West Bengal, who is currently in jail on charges of serious financial corruption. Pit is also under investigation by the CBI and ED, having been interrogated multiple times. There are claims that, in Mandal’s absence, Pit continues to operate a corruption network in West Bengal on Mandal’s behalf.

The Swadhin Trust operates another medical college in Birbhum, West Bengal, utilising government resources and infrastructure, reportedly receiving favors from the TMC government. Subhendu Adhikari, BJP leader and leader of the opposition in the West Bengal legislative assembly, has written to the union health minister alleging that the Shantiniketan Medical College in Birbhum is effectively managed by Anubrata Mandal using funds obtained through corruption, and has requested that the college be derecognised.

It is ironic that a financial entity viewed with suspicion by a BJP leader in West Bengal is being warmly received by the BJP government in Tripura. On June 24, 2024, Jitendra Chowdhury wrote to the chief minister, outlining these concerns and urging the government to reconsider its support for this trust.

In the meantime, the MCI has approved Shantiniketan Medical College to admit 50 students this year, but with certain mandatory conditions that must be met before the admission process can begin. These conditions include: a) having an operational hospital with clinical wards, b) at least 200 inpatient beds, and c) a 20-bedded ICU. During the MCI’s physical verification, the SMC college authorities showcased the facilities, buildings, and hospital wards of the IGM Government Hospital, falsely presenting them as being managed by the medical college.

The BJP government has kept the public in the dark about the entire situation, particularly the agreement allowing the college authority to use the government hospital's apparatus and infrastructure. The government needs to clarify several issues: What are the mutual interests that led to allowing a questionable financial trust to use government hospital resources? Why was this matter not discussed in the assembly or the cabinet? Why has the government not disclosed whether the medical college will be a public-private partnership (PPP) or a private entity? Additionally, the public remains in the dark about the college's fee structure, the availability of state quotas for medical seats, and whether standard reservation quotas for student admissions will be observed.

Until the government addresses these questions transparently, there are valid concerns that a dubious deal may be taking place behind the scenes.