Date:16/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/16/stories/2006111618540500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

COMED-K puts rider on having common test for PG courses

Rasheed Kappan

Asks for arrears, uniform fee and independent evaluation

Supreme Court order says PG admission process should be over by February 28

COMED-K PG entrance test on February 11

BANGALORE: Postgraduate medical and dental college admissions can get messy again next year. But offering a glimmer of hope, the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has indicated its readiness for a common postgraduate entrance test to fill management and government quota seats and retain last year's fee structure but with conditions.

The Government had to clear all outstanding arrears, agree for a uniform fee structure, and set up a transparent autonomous evaluating agency.

But there was no time to bring in such an agency, as the Supreme Court order in the Madhu Singh judgment had ruled that the postgraduate admission process, including the entrance test and results, should be completed by February 28.

Another key issue was the arrears, which, according to COMEDK Executive Secretary, S. Kumar, ranged between Rs. 90 lakh and Rs. 130 lakh for different colleges.

The Government owed this money to the colleges for the subsidy extended to in-service and SC/ST candidates by private managements during the last two years.

Money was paid under the Murgod fee structure last year. But the Murgod Committee itself was scrapped and the Rangavittalachar panel had fixed a higher fees. The difference amount was kept pending, according to Dr. Kumar.

To fill its share of seats, COMED-K has announced a Post Graduate Entrance Test on February 11, 2007.

But the Government is hopeful of reaching a consensus at a meeting scheduled on Thursday.

Seat sharing

The consortium is ready to part with 50 per cent of seats, provided the fee is kept uniform for both government and management quota seats. "Although last year, we got 100 per cent of seats, 50 per cent was set aside for SC/ST and OBC candidates from Karnataka. Fifty per cent of the general merit seats were also set aside for Karnataka candidates," said the COMEDK official.

Thirteen of the 14 medical colleges that offer postgraduate courses and 16 dental colleges offering postgraduate courses are part of the COMEDK.