Patna, Feb. 16: The health department's plan to start three medical colleges in Chhapra, Samastipur and Purnea has hit a roadblock.

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has returned the application sent by the department, saying it had failed to submit the required documents in time.

'The executive committee of the council deliberated the matter at length in the meeting held last month and noted that the college authorities have not submitted the required documents in time in spite of various reminders by the MCI in this regard. The panel decided to return the application, recommending disapproval of the scheme regarding opening of the three medical colleges in Chhapra, Samastipur and Purnea,' said an MCI official.

Brajesh Mehrotra, principal secretary, health, said he was not aware of the MCI's move. He also claimed that the department had submitted all the necessary documents to the MCI last August.

'We would have to dig out the details from the MCI that what exactly has happened but so far we have not received any official information from the MCI regarding this,' said Mehrotra.

The MCI source said one of the implications of this decision would be that the department would not be able to start MBBS admission from the next academic session in the three medical colleges. Second, it would have to send a fresh application to the MCI in this regard later if it wants to stick to the new medical college plan.

Sunil Kumar Singh, member, Bihar Council of Medical Registration, said the MCI should have overlooked the minor mistakes.

'The government has already acquired land for starting the hospital. What if the department failed to submit some documents to the MCI?,' said Singh.

Basant Singh, a member of the Indian Medical Association, said: 'The MCI's decision is a major setback.'