Shillong, Oct 29: Over 200 candidates have applied for admission in the PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), which is the first private medical college in the state.
As per notice issued by the health & family welfare department, the online mop-up and stray vacancy round for Meghalaya State NEET UG 2024 counselling for the PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital, Baridua, covering the state quota, management quota, and NRI quota had commenced on October 28, at 4 pm and continued until 5pm of October 29.
Speaking to media persons on Tuesday, health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “Up till now 200 candidates have applied (for the medical seats at the private medical college).”
Of total 150 seats, 23 are NRI quota, 64 – state quota and 63 – management quota.
Asked on the concern raised over the alleged exorbitant tuition fees charged by the private medical college for the state quota, which is fixed at Rs 4,95,000 per year (Rs 24,75,000 for entire course), Lyngdoh however said that the fees have been agreed upon during a joint meeting held recently.
“In the case of the USTM, the amount of fees was agreed upon in a joint meeting of all concerned with the USTM. So in a private medical college, these norms are permissible. It’s allowed. So they do get into this and the national medical council (NMC) monitors all of that and it gives its approval. So to say that four and a half lakh per year is a little too much may not be completely true also,” she stated.
“Like I said, the chief minister is aware of this situation. He is now going to be sitting once he is convenient with time, he will take a look at this and then we will decide whether any further assistant should be given for these students availing these seats,” the minister assured.
Stating that the fee structure varies from state to state, Lyngdoh said, “But there is scholarship that covers all of this payment. Sometimes they also have to pay but the bigger chunk of fees is borne by a government sponsorship. Let the chief minister comment on this as he is aware of the situation and he will further attend because this is a matter of finance. We have to get concurrence from finance, we have to get all of that together. The Chief Minister will be the best person to comment on this matter.”
Further, the minister informed that the selection of candidates is based on NEET and reservation policy.
“The USTM is offering (64 seats) to the state of Meghalaya and we are going ahead and processing all of the candidatures…Of these, 25 will be fully sponsored by the government and the rest will have to pay half of the nominal fees of the management,” she stated.
“All of these will now be decided. It is being decided. Preliminary meetings have happened. We have been told to shortlist this number of candidates to be nominated and sponsored by the government totally. Some of that will be at half pay,” she added.
To a question, the minister said, “I think it (agreement) is reviewed for 30 years but like I said everything is at a stage of processing. The entire picture will be clear to us shortly. They have just been given this permission. We are working on the details but to my knowledge if I remember correctly, subject to review after 30 years.”
Meanwhile, the minister also informed that the recent ordinance passed by the Cabinet for operationalizing the private medical college is still pending with the Governor for his assent.
“The question of the state operationalising the permission granted for the opening of the medical college to the USTM is of prime importance. Students are looking for seats, so all the procedures will be followed as per law. Nothing will go out of the ambit of law. What is permissible shall be done but in order to meet the target of the starting of this medical college within this timeframe that the NMC has given to all medical institutions all across to function, we have to fast track all of that,” she said while adding “There is absolutely no doubt that we are in hurry but we want to meet the starting of this medical college. If you want to meet it, you have to follow procedures. This procedure is being followed and we have a deadline and the commencement of classes has to be on a certain date – all of that is being indicated by the NMC. We are awaiting for the assent of the ordinance and we have to complete this procedure before the timeframe given by the NMC. Therefore, allow us to process this immediately so that we stand to gain and our students are in a win-win situation.”
Also Read: KHADC pushes for Constitutional Amendment to allow only STs of Meghalaya to buy land
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