The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the State government to respond to a writ petition seeking a directive to compel the self-financing medical colleges that have not signed seat-sharing agreements with the government to enter into such an agreement.
The petition was filed by Anju M. Varghese of Thiruvananthapuram. According to her, because of the delay in entering into such agreement, candidates, including the petitioner, were denied a chance to get admission to the MBBS course.
The delay in finalisation of the agreement would also affect transparency and fairness of the selection process. In fact, classes were scheduled to commence from the first of September 2015. However, no steps had been taken for allotment of students to the seats.
The admission of Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe candidates would also be affected. In fact, urgent action was required to complete the entire selection process by filling all merit seats under nine medical colleges, including the Academy of Medical Sciences, Pariyaram, Al Azhar Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital, Thodupuzha, and the SUT Academy of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram.
The petition sought a directive to the State government not to commence MBBS classes without filling all merit seats based on a transparent selection process and as per the provisions of the Kerala Professional Colleges or Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee, Regulation of Admission, Fixation of Non-Explorative Fee and other Measures to Ensure Equity and Excellence in Professional Education) Act, 2006.
The petition also sought a directive to the State government to publish a list of vacant seats under the merit quota in all medical colleges.
