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Mumbai: After hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) for an increase in medical postgraduate (PG) seats in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court yesterday directed the Medical Council of India (MCI) to file an affidavit in reply.
Currently the fate of at least 242 doctors aspiring for medical PG seats this year is in limbo and the last date of admission is May 31. Realising the urgency of this matter, a division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Kumbhakom adjourned the case, filed by People's Health Organisation (PHO), to May 27 when the division bench of Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari and Justice S.S. Shinde is likely to decide on the interim relief to restore the 242 seats.
Questioning the wisdom
Earlier on May 12, while hearing the PIL, the division bench of Justice Dr Dhananjay Chandrachud and Justice K.U. Chandiwal questioned the wisdom of the director of Medical Education and Research in issuing a circular halting admission to a second round comprising 242 PG seats.
The state informed that the circular was issued because of some cases pending in the high court wherein the doctors who passed out and whose degrees were not being recognised by the MCI were claiming Rs5 million (Dh430,000) in compensation each from the state.
To this the court expressed its displeasure on halting the admissions. The state showed its inclination to increase 242 seats that are recognised by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and are in the process of getting recognition from the MCI, on the condition of the student signing an undertaking that they are taking the admission with full knowledge that the degrees will be recognised only in the state and they will not seek any compensation from the state on this count.
Clarification
The court directed the state to file an affidavit in reply clarifying its position in the matter. The court had stated that "it is desirable that the court should have the considered view of the MCI in respect of the issues which pertain to the subject matter of the dispute".
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