Alleged irregularities in MBBS admission discussed in Puducherry Assembly

Puducherry: The alleged irregularities in admission to first year MBBS course in 2016-17 came up in the Assembly with members indulging in a heated discussion, today. Tabling a special mention during zero hour, N R Congress Member Ashok Anand pointed out that many students were admitted for MBBS course in 2016-17 violating all norms.

Based on complaints received,the Medical Council of India (MCI) had written to the government to inquire and initiate action. However, the government failed to do anything and now on direction from MCI, the Pondicherry University had cancelled the examination scheduled for the first year MBBS students to be held today affecting more than 450 students in all colleges.

Replying to Anand, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said that during 2016-17, the government had obtained all its quota and there was no irregularity in the admission. However, complaints were there stating that irregularities have surfaced in admission to the management quota, he said, adding that a committee under Justice Chitra Venkataraman is appointed to monitor the admission and another committee to fix the fees.They have written that irregularities were in the admission. For this, it is the Madras High court and the MCI to take action.

He also said that the letter from the MCI cited by the member did not come to his notice.However, the government would examine whether it got powers to do anything in the issue and will take action. Mr Anand said that after the cut-off date, students were admitted and the lists were not submitted to the MCI to which Chief Minister said that there was no irregularity in the admission of government quota..

As Mr. Anand continued to level charges against the government, Mr Narayansamy said that he had openly challenged the Lt.Governor on the issue and the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry had given a clean chit to the government. Since, Ashok Anand is continuing the charges, a privilege issue should be brought against him, Mr Narayanasamy said. Following this, the house plunged into noisy scenes with AIADMK member Anbazhagan and Welfare Minister M Kandasamy intervening and diverting the issue. Speaker V Vaithilingam then put an end to the issue and passed on to other business.