Kerala: Govt to control management and NRI seats in private medical colleges

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has overridden all controversy by taking over admissions to all seats including management & NRI quota seats in all private medical colleges this year. A directive to this effect was issued on Saturday.

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) has been asked to make the required arrangements for counselling in management, as well as, NRI quota seats through the directive issued.

50% of merit seats in these colleges would be carried out on the basis of Kerala Engineering Agricultural Medical Entrance Examination (KEAM). However, admission to management and NRI seats would be on the basis of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

According to the order, issues related to reservation and quota agreed upon with colleges last year, would be maintained for the present year- as well.

Earlier on 35% management quota seats and 15% NRI quota seats were filled under the supervision of Admission Supervisory/Fee Regulatory Committee, headed by Justice James.

The state government’s move of including everyone under the state’s umbrella of admissions had not been met well with, by private self-financing medical college managements.

The minority quarters have reacted by calling the state government move-as an infringement on the rights of minority educational institutions.

Muslim Educational Society(MES), Chairman, Fasal Gafoor, alleged that Justice James Committee was misled by the government regarding admission to management quota seats. The managements have indicated that court would be moved against the implementation of the government order.

Managements had earlier aired difference of opinion on CEE carrying out admission to all seats.

The government had also turned down the request of managements being allowed to collect fees prescribed by them for NRI seats.