SC Stay on Karnataka NEET PG Allotment Process

New Delhi: A stay on the future proceedings of the allotment process in Karnataka has been ordered by the Supreme court on a notification issued by the Karnataka government making a minimum 10-year study in the State mandatory to qualify for government seats in PG medical courses.

The order was issued by the court during the hearing of a petition filed by Dr. Kriti Lakhina and 39 others, who on their petition called the eligibility conditions introduced by the state of Karnataka in violation of their fundamental right to life and equality and termed them discriminative.

"We stay the process on or after 30.3.2018. There shall be no publication of Mock Allotment Results on 30.3.2018 and no further proceedings onward shall take place till the judgment is delivered," said the stay order, reports NDTV.

The schedule fixed by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), Bengaluru, the official body which conducts the allotment process, called for the publication of mock allotment results on March 30, 2018, as the next step. The first round allotment result of PG NEET seats in Karnataka was expected to be published on April 5.

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Meanwhile, on March 15, the Medical Council of India (MCI) had shown its opposition the notification issued by the Karnataka government in the apex court. The MCI in an affidavit informed the court that PG medical seats in government colleges are limited in number and therefore, no conditions should be imposed admissions to them.

Read Also: MCI Against Karnataka PG Medical Admission Criteria- Supreme Court informed

The state in its rejoinder and defense in a reply in court last week said the move was necessary to meet the state's requirement of skilled human resources

The Karnataka NEET PG notification on the issue had earlier stated that a candidate must be 'of Karnataka Origin and has studied MBBS or BDS degree in a Medical or Dental College situated in Karnataka or outside Karnataka and affiliated to any University established by law in India recognized by Medical Council of India or Dental Council of India and Government of India and has qualified in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for admission to postgraduate medical or dental degree / diploma courses'.

Read Also: 10-year study criterion for PG medical seats Necessary: Karnataka tells Supreme Court