Maharashtra: More time sought from SC, to fill vacant seats in medical, dental colleges

According to DMER's vacant seat statistics, there are 6 MBBS seats lying vacant in government run institutes,40 in BDS courses of deemed institutes and another 15 in Dhule based private medical and dental institute; making a total of 71 vacancies.

Mumbai: The State Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER) has decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, based on student, parent requests, seeking an extension to fill up vacant seats in medical institutes.

DMER in an earlier petition, filed in court on Oct 6,seeking an extension of dates to fill up vacant seats in medical and dental institutes- government run, private and deemed, had been granted extended time for a day. The extension has been granted only for seats under the all India management quota in government colleges, by the court. All others were rejected.

According to Dr Pravin Shingare, Director of DMER, “With many seats remaining vacant in the state, it makes sense to fill them up, rather than let them lapse for this academic year. We’ll file a review petition in court on Tuesday.”

On the other hand parents in Mumbai are also planning to address court regarding an extension of dates for filling up vacant seats.

According to DMER's vacant seat statistics, there are 6 MBBS seats lying vacant in government run institutes,40 in BDS courses of deemed institutes and another 15 in Dhule based private medical and dental institute; making a total of 71 vacancies.

Aspirants have come from all corners for spot admissions for vacancies in the All India quota, in government medical and dental institutes.

“We were in Jodhpur when the SC declared a day-long extension and managed to reach Mumbai on October 7 at 12 pm. My daughter has scored 497 in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and still didn’t get a seat. It’ll be unfair to let the vacant seats lapse,” said Shekhar Mehta, a parent from Jodhpur.

Ironically students with a score of 200 out of 720 are now being given admission in deemed universities, as scorers with 400 are keeping out due to the exorbitant fee being charged by deemed universities .Another reason for admission seekers keeping off the deemed being they not following merit ranking during admissions.

Presently, DMER is waiting for the Supreme court’s decision, before deciding on the fate of these 71 vacant seats. Shingare expressed a state of helplessness, in the absence of the court’s decision.