No change in govt stand on medical admission: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: The confrontation between the CPIM-led LDF government and private self-financing medical college managements in the state over admission of students in these institutions seems to see no end with Health Minister K K Shylaja on Sunday making it clear that the government would not change its stand on the issue.

“The government will stick to its order to fill all seats including management and NRI quotas in private medical colleges through NEET merit list. Fees hike and integration process are under consideration. There is no adamancy on the matter of admission. The government is always ready to hold discussions with the management,” Shylaja said.

The government order has evoked strong protest from the private managements in the state.

Kerala Private Medical College Management Association has decided to challenge the government direction to the state Commissioner of Entrance Examination to start counselling process for admission to private medical colleges and deemed universities

"Private colleges managements will move the High Court challenging government directive in a day or two," Association President P Krishnadas said.

The government's decision to take over the admission of all seats in private medical colleges cannot be accepted, he said. "We will conduct admission to all seats from the NEET list based on merit. Admission is the right of the management."

Stating that the impugned order was unconstitutional, he said it was infringement on certain rights guaranteed under constitution to private educational institutions in the country.

"We are not for any fight with the government. We will welcome any move for discussion on the issue by the government," he added.

There are 22 private medical colleges, including four under Christian managements, in the state.

The government order also said admission to 50 per cent merit seats in these institutions would be from the Kerala entrance examination 2016 and admission to 35 per cent management quota and 15 per cent NRI seats from NEET list.

The order came after recent talks between government and the private managements for a consensus on the admission process failed.