The uncertainty over counselling for postgraduate (PG) admissions to MD/MS courses in medical colleges across Punjab is unlikely to dissipate as the Punjab government has moved the supreme court (SC) against the April 13 decision of the Punjab and Haryana high court that has quashed the residence-based quota.
Even as the high court has directed the Punjab government to carry out the admissions for the seats allotted to the state quota in the postgraduate medical courses on the basis of institutional preference, the state government’s move challenging the order is likely to delay the start of the academic session for the PG courses, which was to start from May 30.
The ruling has said that reservation would not be provided to students with Punjab domicile but to students who have passed MBBS or BDS from medical or dental colleges affiliated to the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot.
Listening to six petitions, the HC also quashed 9% micro reservation, including 2% quota for sportspersons or for children belonging to other categories.
“The state government has moved the SC challenging the high court verdict that has scrapped the residence-based quota and has given a few more directions to the government. Any decision regarding the counselling will be taken after the SC order,” director, Medical Education and Research (DMER), Dr Manjit Kaur Mohi, told HT.
{{/usCountry}}“The state government has moved the SC challenging the high court verdict that has scrapped the residence-based quota and has given a few more directions to the government. Any decision regarding the counselling will be taken after the SC order,” director, Medical Education and Research (DMER), Dr Manjit Kaur Mohi, told HT.
{{/usCountry}}As per the SC orders (Ashish Ranjan versus Union of India of March 24), the first round of counselling was to be completed by April 5 whereas the second round has to be completed by May 3.
“We know there is a SC deadline, but we cannot do anything when the state government has decided to challenge the HC decision,” said Dr Mohi.
Meanwhile, the delay in counselling has added to the worries of the students. “The session is set to start from May 30 as per the proposed schedule of the Medical Council of India (MCI), but with more delay in counselling, I am in a fix whether to go for paid a seat in private colleges in other states or wait for the counselling here,” said a student, adding if they keep on waiting, they may miss the paid seat as well.
The PG counselling by the BFUHS for 150 state quota seats, which was to be held on March 28, was put off following a stay by the Punjab and Haryana high court.
“The HC heard six petitions and delivered the judgment on April 13 to avoid delay in counselling, but by challenging the order, the Punjab government has put us in a catch-22 situation,” said a student.