Bombay HC provides relief to PG medical students

Maharashtra: PG medical students in the state, belonging to socially backward classes have been granted relief by the Bombay High Court. The issue concerns the students who have now been given legal permission by the court to appear for their exams. There will be no restrictions on the students to take their exam from the colleges on the account of non payment of fees.

Dr Sagar Mundada, president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) in his statement implied that in the last few months students were facing pressure from the authorities. The authorities were not allowing students to sit for their exam is they did not pay the fees. The HC has now states that no student can be stopped from appearing for the university exams, just two days before the schedules date of the exam.

Students had earlier received notices from KEM Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, asking for submission of their tuition fees. It was also mentioned that the if the students did not submit their fees, the results will not be announced.

The court order has however given a clarification on the matter. No students will be stopped from taking the PG medical exam over the issue on not paying the fee only.

"It's a big win for us. Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) agrees that as they provide Rs 50,000 as stipend, our annual incomes go to R5.5 lakh, but it has nothing to do with the central rules that excuse fees for students from socially backward classes," said a student to the Mid-day newspaper.

Dr Pravin Shingare, director of DMER in his statement implied that we are giving students complete facilities which are free of cost. Students get a free stay in hostel and food, besides much more. A stipend is also given to the students. We will also follow the order of the HC now.