Another Twist to the Tale of Reservation of Medical Seats

On Tuesday, the Health Minister K. Rosaiah Minister along with Vice-Chancellor, NTR Health University, R. Sambasiva Rao justified the increased reservation of the in-service quota claiming that there was a shortage of professors in Government medical colleges which could lead to the risk of de-recognition of the existing MBBS seats by the Medical Council of India. The claim was supported by the fact that the council had de-recognised 25 MBBS seats in Guntur Medical College the previous year when the posts of Professor were found to be vacant.

Therefore the present increase in reservation now comes with a price tag of a bond for Rs. 20 lakhs when claiming the allotted PG seat. The in-service candidates themselves become eligible for the quota only on completion of two years of Government service in the tribal areas or for three years in other areas.

The Health Minister appealed to medicos and junior doctors to call off their protests over the increased reservation for in-service candidates, realising the realities involved.