Bombay HC directs MGIMS to publish two PG admission lists

Nagpur: The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) decision to give preference to candidates who have served with some NGO for admissions to its postgraduate courses had the Bombay High Court directing it to draw two select lists for its post graduate admissions. The first in accordance with the Medical Council of India's (MCI) regulations, and the second as per rules notified by the college on March 6. Herein the college had asked for NGO work experience from the students .

The court was responding to a petition filed by five doctors challenging MGIMS decision to grant weightage to those candidates who served with some NGO for PG admissions. On March 16, the Bombay High Court had also put restrictions on the respondent from finalizing the list for admissions to its PG courses, through interim orders.

A specially constituted division bench comprising Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari has given permission to MGIMS to release two lists to save time, as the admissions are needed to be finalized by May 31. "The lists would be provisional and after this court delivers judgment, those can be used for further process. Those however should be kept in a sealed envelope," the judges said.

Petitioners — Keval Dhone and four others who moved to the court through counsels Shakul Ghatole and Firdos Mirza, contended that the college had imposed its own eligibility for admissions; in contradiction to Section 54 of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) Act, 1988. Terming MGIMS's move as 'discriminatory', the petitioners argued that the provisions speak of admission in affiliated colleges on the basis of merit in line with rulings alone.

Citing MCI's Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, the petitioners brought to light that weightage of marks was given by the college to candidates who had served with some NGOs, instead of those in service with the government/public authority, as prescribed by Regulation 2000. The PG aspirants pointing out to December 21, 2010, notification, said the amended Rules of Regulation 2000, held the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) mandatory for all PG admissions.Therefore, private colleges and institutions had no authority to impose or introduce any condition other than NEET rankings.

According to the petitioners, three years of service in government centres constitutes to the overall academic performance, with medical institutes awarding extra marks, up to 30% of the total marks scored in NEET by the aspirant, over three years of service reports the TOI.