Patna, April 2: Nalanda Medical College celebrated its 46th foundation day today even though promises made by chief minister Nitish Kumar regarding its various development works remain unfulfilled.

Last year, while taking part in the college's foundation day programme, Nitish announced an array of facilities for the institute. This time, Nitish skipped the programme.

College principal Shiv Kumari Prasad claimed Nitish had backed out at the last moment, citing his commitment to attend a Rajgir-related programme.

Sources said health minister Tej Pratap did not even confirm his presence. College former principal M.L. Verma, former surgery department head V.K. Srivastava, NMCH alumnus Sahjanand Prasad Singh, Aryabhatta Knowledge University vice-chancellor A.K. Agrawal were present.

A senior faculty member, who did not wish to be named, said: "Last year, Nitish announced to start a trauma-cum-emergency centre worth around Rs 31 crore. However, nothing concrete regarding this has been done yet. The magnetic resonance imaging machine has still not been provided to the hospital. Announcement regarding a drug warehouse of around Rs 6 crore was also made. Similarly, nothing much has been done regarding the announcement of opening of the BSc nursing college."

Principal Prasad though boasted of the college's recent achievements, including getting recognition from the MCI to run a 100-seat MBBS course. She said new buildings of boys' and girls' hostels were also complete. "The construction work of the auditorium is also near completion," she said.

Thirteen MBBS and six PG students were awarded gold medals for topping in various subjects.

NIT clash

Three students of NIT Patna were allegedly beaten up by outsiders on Friday evening. The police said the institute's annual fest organised by third-year students was on. Around 8pm, some outsiders, trying to enter the campus, were stopped by some students which led to a scuffle.

The outsiders beat three of them badly.