Aizawl: The Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Thursday slammed the Congress-led state government for claiming credit for the establishment of the state's first medical college, Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research (Mimer).

The Congress and the MNF have been engaged in a war of words over claiming credit for the medical college after it was opened on August 7.

Denouncing the claim that all the key infrastructure was built by the Congress government, MNF vigilance committee secretary David R. Lalsawmtluanga said the medical college turned into reality owing to the commendable initiatives of his party.

Lalsawmtluanga blamed the ruling Congress for allegedly being hesitant to pursue the work started by its predecessors.

He claimed the MNF was instrumental in the establishment of the medical college by setting up a referral hospital at Falkawn.

Lalsawmtluanga said the Congress government could have established the medical college five years ago if it had agreed to resume the work started by the MNF government.

He also slammed the Congress for establishing the medical college under a society, Mizoram Institute of Medical Education and Research Society, stating that there is no criterion under the Medical Council of India and central guidelines that a medical college should function under a society.

Stating that many colleges are directly controlled and function under the state government, Lalsawmtluanga alleged the medical college was put under a society to simply make money.

He also accused the medical college director of having arbitrary power.

"While the head of a college should be a principal, the government appointed a director to head the medical college," he said.

Mimer is headed by Dr L. Fimate as the director.

Lalsawmtluanga alleged that the director was given arbitrary powers.

"He (director) was accorded administrative and financial power and was involved in all committees, including recruitment, as member secretary. This is unsafe for the future of the medical college," he claimed.

He alleged the director has the power to even write off embezzlement and property loss.

Lalsawmtluanga claimed the MNF started the construction of the referral hospital at Falkawn with a "meagre" Rs 40.53 crore from the Centre.

He alleged the Congress did not construct any key infrastructure for the medical college from the Rs 252-crore funds received from the Centre.

He also accused the state government of lying to the public by claiming credit for the medical college.

Mimer was established at the state referral college at Falkawn, about 16km from here. It was inaugurated by chief minister Lal Thanhawla.