Government stalling MCI order on quota

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Government Medical Officers Association has accused the AINRC government of lethargy in implementing 50 per cent quota in post-graduate medical seats in private medical colleges of Puducherry despite a  notice from the Medical Council of India (MCI).Dr P Karunanidhi, president of the association, in a release on Thursday, said the MCI had issued a gazette notification in July 2009 that 50 per cent of the PG degree seats in all private medical colleges should be given to the state candidates  concerned and 50 per cent of the diploma seats to government medical officers. In spite of repeated reminders to all officials in Puducherry government, no progress had been made in this regard, he said. There are about 140 post-graduate medical seats in private colleges of Puducherry and most of these were reportedly sold for prices between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore. But as per MCI order, 70 of these seats were supposed  to be given to Puducherry residents, he said.Similarly, 30 out of 60 PG diploma seats were to be given to government medical officers. But quoting some silly reasons, these private medical colleges have been evading these rules, he said, and added that the government  had been standing as a mere spectator.He added that though the directorate of health had volunteered to be the convener, the files for implementation were re-directed to  the education department and have been lying there for more than a year.