Marks card rule leaves non-state students distraught

BANGALORE: Several non-Karnataka students who appeared for ComedK counselling on Thursday, are unhappy with the rule that they submit their original Class 12 marks cards.
Their concern: Handing over original documents would make it difficult for them to take part in counselling of other entrance tests like All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Test (AIPMT), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and other state-specific entrance exams.
Neha S (name changed), an MBBS aspirant from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, said she can't appear for the AIPMT counselling because she has submitted her original marks card to the ComedK authorities. Neha thinks the rule is a tactic to prevent students from taking other examsand tie them down to ComedK.
Students feel ComedK authorities should collect only photocopies of marksheets after verifying the originals. Two Rajasthan students said the Rajasthan Pre Medical Test (RPMT) is being re-conducted in July-end, following discrepancies in the question paper. But those joining ComedK colleges won't be able to appear for the RPMT counselling. While ComedK medical colleges charge an annual fee of Rs 3,57,500, Rajasthan's government medical colleges charge only Rs 15,000. But with their original documents with ComedK, they won't be able to explore other options.
Tired of the overlaps, the parent of a student from Chennai requested the Centre to introduce a common calendar of events for MBBS admissions, and direct ComedK not to collect original marksheets till all entrance exams are over.
A student from Kerala said the Kerala Engineering Agriculture Medical Degree (KEAM) entrance exam date is not yet announced, and AIIMS starts counselling on July 9. "The last date to surrender ComedK seats is July 16. If I get a seat in AIIMS, I'll have to rush to Bangalore to surrender my ComedK seat and get my original documents," he added.
A student surrendering a seat will have to cough up Rs 5,000.