Clarify stance on privatisation of medical education: CPI to CMChandrababu had promised tocancel GOs 107, 108 once in power

CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna has voiced serious concerns over the Andhra Pradesh government’s alleged move to privatise medical education. He urged Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to clarify the government’s stance, particularly in the light of a letter reportedly sent to the National Medical Council (NMC), which indicated the State’s difficulty in filling medical seats.
Ramakrishna, along with party State secretariat members Jalli Wilson, G Eswaraiah and Akkineni Vanaja, addressed the media at Dasari Bhavan in Vijayawada on Monday. Ramakrishna interpreted this as a sign that the government is looking to shift control of medical education to private entities, raising alarms over its management capabilities.
He also highlighted past assurances made by Chandrababu and Minister Nara Lokesh while they were in Opposition, particularly regarding Government Orders (G.O.s) 107 and 108, which had privatised 50 per cent of MBBS seats. Despite promises to cancel these orders once in power, no such action has been taken, said Ramakrishna. He emphasised the Communist parties’ and student unions’ opposition to these G.O.s.
Ramakrishna criticised the State government for not addressing key issues in the medical education sector, such as infrastructure development, faculty shortages, and the construction of necessary buildings. He condemned the government’s proposal to implement a Gujarat Model of medical education, where a majority of colleges are privately run, stating that this reflects a clear intention to privatise the State’s medical colleges.
Besides, he expressed concern over the State government’s potential backtracking on its commitment to prevent the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Ramakrishna accused the government of halting coal supply and production at the plant, which he sees as a step toward privatisation. He demanded that both Chief Minister Chandrababu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan comment on this issue.
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