Tamil Nadu CM rules out MCI offer to implement EWS quota for MBBS without political consensus

Chennai: Rejecting the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) proposal of 25% increase in the number of medical seats for states that agree to 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami has recently stated that the State Government will maintain the existing 69% reservation in medical college admissions wherein 50% seats are reserved for Backward Classes and the remaining 19% for the Scheduled Castes.

Medical Dialogues had recently reported about the MCI proposal to implement EWS quota and how 132 medical colleges across the country who had opted for the same had got a total of 4465 MBBS seats

Also Read: MCI, Union Health Ministry increase 4465 MBBS seats in 132 Medical Colleges for EWS Quota

According to recent media reports, For the state of Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami has ruled out the said implementation without an agreement with the political parties despite stating that a decision in this regard would be taken after discussions with political parties. He propounded that his government will not take a unilateral decision.

Explaining the MCI’s proposal, he stated that the state would get 1,000 medical seats additionally (if it implemented the 10% quota), of which 150 would be filled up under the all-India quota. Of the remaining seats, 264 would be reserved for the open competition quota and 586 seats could be filled up through the existing 69% quota.

The MCI's proposal was questioned and objected by many. The leader of the Opposition and DMK president M.K. Stalin was of the opinion that the 10% quota for EWS was a move by the Centre to dilute the existing reservation quota of 69% in the state. He further argued that the existing system of leaving 31% seats for open competition candidates was functioning well and that the Centre’s recent proposal was “slow poison” for social justice in Tamil Nadu.

While DMK legislator K. Ponmudi stated that MCI’s offer of additional medical seats was more of a threat than incentive. Congress MLA J.G. Prince (Colachel) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator K.A.M. Muhammed Abubacker (Kadayanallur) too opposed the 10% quota for EWS in Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the issue, Palaniswami assured the Assembly, “Under any circumstances, the government will continue to implement the 69% reservation.”

He also added that a decision on implementing 10% quota for the EWS would be taken if a consensus emerged among leaders of all “recognised” political parties at the proposed meeting.

The Medical Council of India’s proposal offering to increase the sanctioned strength of students in medical colleges by 25% if the State implemented the 10% quota in admissions was brought in earlier this year by the Central government.

Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar told The Hindu that except Karnataka and Tamil Nadu other States had accepted MCI’s proposal. The MCI had asked the states to reply to the offer before June 28.