Kiran Bedi and Puducherry govt tussle of medical seats lands in MCI

The Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Pondicherry, Dr Kiran Bedi has complained to the Medical Council of India (MCI) that the state government has misled the Council regarding the irregularities in admissions in deemed universities and private colleges during the academic session of 2016-17.

In a letter dated July 12, 2017, she has said that the state government’s claim that the file seeking action against the erring medical colleges is with the LG office is incorrect.

“The fact however remains that the file in question is yet to reach the portals of the office of the Lt Governor,” said Bedi in her letter addressed to Dr (Ms) Jayshree Pranshankar Mehta, President, MCI. Bedi has asked MCI to take action against the colleges.

When contacted Reena Nayyar, secretary, MCI, confirmed that the council had received Dr Bedi’s complaint and it’s enquiring into the allegations.

“If found genuine, action will be taken against the colleges as per the MCI act,” said Nayyar.

Bedi and the Congress-led government of V Narayanasamy have been engaged in a power tussle since she took over as the LG in March 2016.

Last year, of the 1,200 medical seats in the state, 767 were to be filled on the basis of NEET scores by September 30, 2016, the last date fixed by the Supreme Court and MCI.

“The government-appointed Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC), empowered to conduct counselling, allegedly colluded with colleges and allowed them to violate admission norms. It permitted the admission process to be continued till October 7,” says Thiru M Narayanassamy, president, Puducherry UT, All CENTAC students parents association.

He added, “After the state government received a barrage of complaints from candidates regardingmalpracticesinadmission, it appointed a Permanent Admission Committee ... to get the whole issue investigated.”