Date:07/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/07/stories/2006030700380400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Medical students allowed to appear for final examination

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) on Monday informed the Karnataka High Court that Basaveshwara Medical College, Chitradurga, has been designated as an examination centre and students can take the final year medical examination for 2006.

The university filed a memo in the court of Justice N. Kumar saying that the college has been designated as an examination centre and the Principal as chief examiner. It said there is no bar on the 94 students of the 2001-02 batch appearing for the final examination, scheduled for March 8.

The court is hearing a petition against the non-recognition of the college by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and another petition by the students seeking transfer to another college. The MCI and the Union Government are opposing transfer of students. According to them, the institution has violated MCI guidelines and the Supreme Court directions. The court has constituted a five-member committee of experts to evaluate the infrastructure in the college and submit a report. The committee, which is headed by retired High Court Judge A.S. Murgod, includes Director of Medical Education (nominee of the State Government), the nominee of the MCI, and two former principals of government medical colleges.

The students were admitted to the medical course through the Common Entrance Test Cell. However, the Centre withdrew recognition to the college. The students feared they would not be allowed to appear for the examination as they had filed writ petitions in the court.