The revised third phase of counselling for postgraduate courses offered by the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University was stalled for two hours on Saturday as candidates refused to participate.
At the Kilpauk Medical College, candidates allotted seats in the third phase held between June 2 and 4 said they would lose the seats if fresh counselling was held.
Around 30 candidates had been allotted seats earlier this week. But the Directorate of Medical Education received a fax from the Medical Council of India late on June 2, permitting Annamalai University to add four PG seats.
According to officials the decision to nullify the earlier counselling was taken following a representation by some students.
“We took the decision as we wanted all students to get a fair chance. Last year, we had a similar situation and seats remained vacant as we had completed the process by then,” said an official.
Some parents and students, however, alleged that the decision was taken to accommodate the daughter of a politician. But officials denied the charge.
The decision to declare null the earlier session of counselling upset some students as they had to give up seats in coveted colleges. Medical education officials said there were around 55 seats and candidates would in all probability get the colleges they desired. The changed seat matrix following the addition of new seats had raised the hope of garnering a seat under community quota.
The parent of a candidate from BC (Muslim) community said his daughter was denied seat under the quota as she was told it was already filled.
Community quota
Selection committee officials said community quota seats would be allotted as per reservation policy. During the first two phases of counselling too, the process had been followed, an official said.
Some students alleged that though seats we available in MMC, they were not exhibited during counselling. However, selection committee secretary Uma Sadasivan said the seats are allotted based on the colleges’ declaration. The seat matrix is then drawn up. “Each seat is precious to us,” she said.
Counselling for PG courses will be completed by Sunday.
