Uma and Selvam hope that their son, who scored 196.75 marks, will make it to a medical college this year.
“I am hoping that the court verdict on the State government’s reservation policy, expected next week, will be in favour of students, and my son will study medicine,” says Dr. Uma. He has discontinued engineering.
This year, five colleges were initially denied permission to admit students. However, the Supreme Court allowed the process, through a September 25 order, but on certain conditions.
While Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Sciences, Madha and Sri Muthukumaran medical colleges opted out, Tagore Medical College and Chennai Medical College, Tiruchi, agreed to the conditions, including the one that they can collect only the government college fee.
The State government released the merit list on September 30, and colleges were told to finish the admission process in two days.
“How can private medical colleges charge fees on a par with government medical colleges,” asks A. Kalaiselvam whose daughter, with a score of 196.75, has opted to stay at home. “The government should have sought time to conduct another round of counselling,” he says.
These parents have pinned their hope on the verdict in a case filed by some students challenging the government’s 69 per cent reservation policy in medical colleges.
“If the decision is in favour of students, the government should hold counselling. Delay in admission means students will not have sufficient attendance. They could take the exams six months later. But at least they would be in medical college,” reasons K. Selvakumar, whose daughter scored 196.5 marks and is now studying engineering.
Health Department officials, however, say the Supreme Court laid down the rules. Also, the Medical Council of India gave them permission around 4.30 p.m. September 30, the last date for completing the admission process.
“We only followed the rules. We know it has caused heartburn but we could not violate the rules or question the court’s orders,” said Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan.
