HC quashes PG counselling round in Haryana, announces Rs 1 lakh compensation for students

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed the first counselling session conducted for Post graduate admissions by Haryana on the basis of a petition challenging the process. It has also ordered a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh be paid to every student who has been admitted on the basis of this first round of counselling.

The HC ruling came on the basis of Dr Narinder Soni's petition challenging the prospectus issued by Haryana for admissions in MD/MS/PG diplomas for 2017 session. Dr. Soni in his petition stated that institutional preference and incentives given to in service Haryana Civil Medical Service (HCMS) doctors mentioned in the prospectus, are against the Regulation 9 provisions of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations 2000 framed by the Medical Council.

The petitioners were of the view that the institutional preference given to students who have passed their MBBS and BDS from state colleges went against the norms of Regulation 9 of the PG regulations of the Council. The petition also contended that 20% marks weight age granted for rural service was also in violation of MCI regulations reports TOI.

The MCI counsel, Manpreet Singh Longia, calling the Council an expert body said Regulation 9 framed by it was a complete code in itself for making medical admissions.

He added the incentives of marks granted to in-service HCMS doctors is justifiable for their service in notified difficult and remote areas and not just in all rural areas.

Meanwhile, a state notification issued on May 5, mentioned institutional preference as withdrawn from the prospectus and the incentive criterion to the HCMS doctors at 10% of marks obtained for each year, with a cap of 30%, notified along with the list of difficult/remote areas.

Issuing the notification, the Haryana authorities included municipal committees and sub-divisions in the list of remote/difficult areas. The petitioners contended this action on part of the state wasn’t in sync with regulations. Accepting the contention, the Bench quashed the notification, reports TOI.

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