Bhubaneswar, June 6: The Union health ministry has barred Rourkela-based Hi-tech Medical College and Hospital from undertaking admissions into MBBS courses for the next two years.

D.V.K. Rao, under secretary to the ministry, in a letter issued on May 31, conveyed the decision to the college.

"You are requested not to admit any student in 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years in the MBBS course at your college. Admissions made against the above decision of the central government will be treated as irregular and action will be initiated as per law," Rao said in his letter.

The decision came as a surprise to the authorities and medical aspirants as the ministry had earlier granted conditional approval for MBBS courses for the upcoming session. Sources said that approval was communicated by the Supreme Court Mandated Oversight Committee.

Despite repeated attempts, college authorities could not be contacted for comments.

The college had earlier courted controversy after the Supreme Court cancelled admission of 100 MBBS students for the 2015-16 session. The apex court order was passed following an appeal petition filed by the Medical Council of India, the statutory body for medical education.

Sources said the council had earlier denied permission for admission into the college's 100 MBBS seats citing deficiencies in the required criteria.

The students, who had already taken admission and studied for a year, found themselves without a college halfway through their course. They had staged protests on the campus for months. However, the college authorities had asked them to vacate the campus.

Hi-Tech Medical College began functioning in the 2013-14 academic year and continued admission in 2014-15.