Maharashtra: SC/ST MBBS candidates demand Deemed university reservations

Nagpur: The state government rule dated March 31, 2016, regarding state recognized private medical colleges ‘without grant’ and ‘permanently without grant’ needs to be updated regarding deemed medical universities- is the contention being put forward by Medical Students belonging to the backward classes in the state. The rule states that freeship by state governments will not be provided to students who take admissions in deemed universities.

“This law was applicable when deemed universities were very few, and were allowed by the state to function independently. Earlier, they had their own exams, but now they are a part of the NEET process,” Dr Siddharth Bharne, President, Babasaheb Ambedkar Students Federation told TOI.

Bharne citing last year’s admission status said that the apex court had extended the admission deadline for the final round of UG MBBS (medical) and BDS (dental) admissions in deemed universities sue to the 5,500 vacant seats. “SC/ST students could not apply for seats in deemed universities despite vacant seats as they could not afford the full fees,” Bharne added. The GR also states that the rule will be implemented in the years to come.

When asked about the GR, Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare, Vijay Wakulkar told TOI, “We are only mandated to follow the rule. If the members of the community feel the requirement of a reservation, they need to mobilize themselves and demand so from the government.”

Associate professor of DY Patil college, Pune, Dr Sanjay Dabhade claimed he had moved petitions and applications with the HRD Minister, Prakash Jawade in this regard, as deemed universities fell under the Jurisdiction of the HRD Ministry. “I haven't received any acknowledgement or reply.”

“There is also an issue about fee reimbursement. A high court order in response to a petition stated that the state government should reimburse fees of backward class students. State governments went to the Supreme Court and the case is still pending,” he said, adding that he has been pursuing the case and issue for the past 8 years.

The Constitution’s Article 15 (5) amendment states categorically that institutional reservation is to be compulsory, barring in minority institutions, if directed by the executive or the Parliament.

“The government can, by a simple law, direct the institutions including private medical colleges and deemed universities to follow the norms. The community too is not aware. Earlier private universities under state government were also deprived of reservation, which was later reversed. Who will bear the reimbursement is the main issue,” claimed Dabhade.

According to him of the available 1,760 medical UG seats in deemed universities, 800 seats could have ideally been allotted to students belonging to the backward class.