Uncertainty over medical seats has cast a shadow on admission through single window counselling to engineering colleges.
On the eve of the declaration of results for the State board exams held in March for class XII, candidates aspiring for medical seats have no information about when the government will start issuing application forms for seats under single-window counselling.
Every year, forms are issued either on the day or a day ahead of the publication of results. But, with the sword of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test hanging over its head, the government has not taken any decision on the date.
‘Action likely soon’
On Monday, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda held a meeting with Health Ministers from all States. Health secretaries from States facing elections represented their Ministers at the meeting.
Tamil Nadu Health Department sources said the State’s position was presented to the Minister. Mr. Nadda, in a couple of tweets, acknowledged it: “Met Health Ministers of States today. They shared their views on holding NEET this year. I have noted their many concerns about NEET this year. Will soon formulate further course of action.”
Later in the day, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called for an informal meeting with all political parties to discuss the issue.
An official said, “We have explained how the admission to engineering and medical colleges is integrated and that admissions to engineering colleges cannot be allowed after August 15. It has also been pointed out that any delay in admission to medical colleges would result in top engineering colleges not being able to fill their seats. “We have also explained that it is a policy decision made by the State to abolish entrance exam and the State had enacted a law, which has the President’s assent. We have pointed out that it is unfair to the students to thrust NEET on them especially when the court had only decided to discuss the issue. Now, we are awaiting further action from the Union government,” the official explained.
Despite the uncertainty, as of Sunday, more than 71,250 aspirants who had registered online for application forms had not paid the fee . Private universities also said that the rise in the number of candidates seeking application forms was insignificant.
The registrar of Anna University, S. Ganesan, said that the university had not made any changes yet. “As of now our schedule stands. Candidates would have to submit filled-in application forms 10 days from the date of issue of results.
Medical aspirants clueless on when forms under single-window counselling will be issued
