Uncertainty prevails ahead of 2nd round of counselling today
FARIDKOT: A day before they are to join the college allotted during counselling, aspirants for an MBBS from all eight colleges in Punjab face an uncertain future.
In the second round of counselling, aspirants had time till July 9 to fill their choices, while result was to be declared on July 12 (Thursday).
The uncertainty, for both state quota and All-India quota seats, has resulted after Tuesday’s decision of the Madurai bench of the Madras high court to award 196 grace marks to 24,000 students, who took the entrance exam (the NEET) in the Tamil medium.
Passing the orders on a public interest litigation, the high court had directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consequently revise the list of eligible candidates and publish it afresh.
Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, is the nodal body that is conducting counselling in the state for 1,175 seats.
“If there is no amendment in the Madras high court judgment, it may affect the list of selected candidates of the All-India quota that has been distributed to states. The counselling of the state will also be hit,” said Dr Raj Bahadur, vice-chancellor, BFUHS.
On whether students already allotted seats should join on Thursday, he said, “Students who have been allotted their seats must complete the process as per schedule.”
WAIT FOR APPEAL IN SC, HEALTH MIN TELLS V-C
On what will be the university’s course of action on further counselling sessions, the V-C said, “We contacted a Union health ministry representative who told us to wait for a decision on an appeal that the ministry will file in the Supreme Court against the Madras high court decision.”
He added, “The university is also watching the response of the ministry. If there is any delay, the result of the second round of counselling will also be delayed.”
If there is no amendment in the Madras HC judgment, it may affect the list of selected candidates of the AllIndia quota that has been distributed to states. The counselling of the state will also be hit.
DR RAJ BAHADUR, V-C, BFUHS