Kerala: HC verdict to rejuvenate govt decision

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The High Court verdict which refused to uphold a stay on the fee structure for MBBS and BDS courses fixed by the R. Rajendra Babu committee rejuvenates the government.

The High Court's refusal to uphold the stay of ordinance implies its indirect consent on the fee agreement arrived at between the government and two medical colleges — the MES medical college and the Karakkonam college run by the Church of South India.

According to MES Spokesman, Fazal Gafoor, "The judgment, by not staying the latest ordinance promulgated by the government, has indirectly okayed the agreement arrived at between the State government and two medical colleges. Eventually all other medical colleges would have to come around to that agreement,"

The ordinance is clear on the possibility of a consensual agreement existing between the government and the college managements. As the High Court has not upheld the stay on the government ordinance, the agreements would automatically stand, Gaffor points out.

The HC judgment on the other hand has also asked the government and the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations to announce the provisional fee fixed by the committee. This also implies two types of fee coming into existence in majority of the state's colleges.

In order to avoid this situation , the government has the alternative to put together a fee structure that is agreeable to all college managements and have the fee regulatory committee give an approval for it, as well.

Anilkumar Vallil, Secretary, Private Medical College's managements' told The Hindu that fee issues could be discussed with the government . Though a date had yet to be fixed, he added.