The suspense over whether students participating in the Common Entrance Test (CET) counselling would be able to choose from seats in private medical colleges is yet to come to an end, with the crucial meeting between the government and college managements not taking place on Saturday. Private college managements from two different groups — minority and non-minority — appeared to be on different planes even as CET counselling process has begun.
The Karnataka Religious and Linguistic Minority Professional Colleges’ Association has sought time till June 25 from the government before talks can begin. Association secretary Shafi Ahmed said member colleges were asking for the fee to be fixed according to records submitted to the fee fixation committee, meaning that each college will have a different fee structure. “The government is suggesting a five per cent enhancement of fee which we haven’t agreed on,” he said.
On the other hand, office-bearers of Karnataka Professional Colleges Foundation said they were still examining the legal angles to the implementation of the consensual agreement. “We have to see if the consensual agreement is enforceable by law first. We have some legal opinions from New Delhi,” said M.R. Jayaram from the foundation.
However, Minister of State for Medical Education Sharanprakash R. Patil said private colleges had come around to give the government seats, but on condition of a hike in fee. “By Monday, everything should be clear,” he added.
