Amid the ongoing debate on transparency in MBBS admissions and calls upon the Government to secure a higher share of seats for the Government quota, authorities have stated that the withdrawal of the essentiality certificate (EC) to a private medical college was based on a direction from the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The Government of Puducherry on Monday withdrew the essentiality certificate issued to the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for increasing the intake of seats from 100 to 150, for “wilful failure to provide seats” to the government and for violations of rules and regulations.
An official said in a communication to PIMS dated March 30, Medical Council of India(MCI) stated, “As per agreement between the State Government and your institute vide letter dated June 23, 2014, 36 seats out of 100 seats fall under government quota. The existing intake of capacity at your institute is 150 and hence in accordance with agreement, 54 seats fall under government quota while you have admitted only 35 students under government quota.”
The MCI had sought clarification with documentary evidence within seven days in this regard failing which necessary action would be taken as per regulations of the council.
An official in Department of Health added that the copy of the communication was forwarded to Department of Health, Puducherry for “similar” necessary action. The present action was taken following the MCI communication and taking into consideration the failure of the institution concerned to provide seats to government, he said.
