MBBS prospectus only after Guv’s call on 7.5 pc quota: TN

Based on the recommendations of the commission headed by retired High Court Judge P Kalaiyarasan for admission preference to UG courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Indian Medicine and Homeopathy, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a Bill on September 15 which directed the horizontal reservation of 7.5 per cent for government students. The Bill was sent to Governor Banwarilal Purohit for his assent. However, a final decision is still pending.

The litigants, however, said that with NEET results out, admissions would soon commence and so they prayed to the court to intervene. The bench, which heard the petition on Wednesday, sought the State’s response by Friday.

On Friday, Advocate General Vijay Narayan informed the bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi that the Governor had not taken any decision so far and assured the bench that the prospectus for medical admissions would not be issued until the Governor’s assent.

During the hearing, the judges pointed out that as per data available, in the last three years only a handful of students from government schools got admission in medical colleges. The judges raised their concerns over this percentage and said that out of 41% government school students aspiring for medical seats, hardly 6-7 students are getting admission, which is not fair. So, a decision should be taken with respect to implementation of the Bill, the judges observed.

The judges further said, if no decision was taken with regard to reservation for government school students, the future of their studies would be affected. However, Narayan, referred to Article 200 of the Constitution, which spells the powers available for the Governor in taking decisions on Bills passed by the cabinet, and stated that the courts cannot issue any order interfering with the same.

But Justice Pugalendhi pointed out that the same Constitution also states that the decisions should be taken ‘as soon as possible’. Subsequently Narayan assured the court that the prospectus for medical admissions will not be issued till the Governor gives his assent to the Bill.