The Supreme Court on Sunday denied a stay order on the agreement reached between the government and Dr Govinda KC, an orthopaedic surgeon and activist. Jhapa-based B&C Medical College and Research Centre had sought the stay order on a recent agreement that bars opening up of new medical colleges until a bill—currently under consideration at Parliament—is passed.

A division bench of Justices Anil Kumar Sinha and Sapana Pradhan Malla stated that there is no need to grant a stay order on the case.

The ruling means the government can now effectively implement the agreements reached with Dr KC during his 10th fast-unto-death in December 2016.

In a petition filed at the court, the college argued that the agreement had cast uncertainty over its investment.

The government had agreed that no new medical colleges will be established until the Health Profession Education Commission bill is endorsed by Parliament. The commission was first envisioned by the Mathema-committee report that recommended an overarching framework to oversee entire health education. Although the bill has been in Parliament for over six months, not much progress has been made to endorse the document.