Date:06/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/06/stories/2007070660650800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Restore sanctioned strength in medical colleges: Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa on Thursday urged the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government to take measures on a war-footing to ensure that the number of medical seats in the State was not reduced by 300.

In a statement here, Ms. Jayalalithaa attributed the Medical Council of India (MCI)’s decision to withhold recognition to three medical colleges to “negligence” on the part of the DMK Government.

Shock to students

The decision had sent shock waves among the candidates who aspired for medical seats, she said.

Government medical colleges started functioning in Theni, Vellore and Kanyakumari districts, thanks to allocation of funds by the previous AIADMK Government during 2001-2006, she recalled.

Supreme Court order

The MCI granted recognition to the Kanyakumari Government Medical College in 2004, the Government Vellore Medical College in 2005 and the Theni Government Medical College through an order of the Supreme Court in 2006.

The then AIADMK Government had ensured creation of infrastructure facilities and appointment of professors through counselling, she said.

Cautioning the DMK Government against complacency on the issue, Ms. Jayalalithaa called for immediate steps to ensure restoration of the sanctioned strength in the medical colleges.