Assam denies admission to MBBS students

From A Correspondent

Tura, Sept 1: MBBS students of Meghalaya who were due to get admission into Assam medical colleges under the State’s quota were in for a huge shock on Thursday when the aspiring students were told by the respective medical colleges that they would not be given admissions mainly due to a change in law in Assam.

The denial of admissions comes at a time when authorities of Meghalaya had come forward in assuring that the matter had been resolved and there was no issue at hand. The denial of admissions has now left students facing a huge quandary and parents scratching their heads in both anger and frustration. Upon being contacted on the matter, Meghalaya Additiol Chief Secretary PW Ingty on Friday confirmed there was a problem and that the matter was being looked into by both Assam and Meghalaya, adding that the officials were trying their best to resolve the issue. He, however, failed to provide an assurance whether the matter would be resolved and by when.

Earlier too, HM Shangpliang, Secretary of Meghalaya, assured that there was nothing to fear and that the matter was already resolved. He had even come out in media with the assurance to the students of the State of securing 10 seats under Meghalaya quota in the medical colleges in Assam.

“We have been warning that things are not alright for the past few days after being repeatedly told by the medical colleges that there would be no admission. We were hoping against hope that the status quo would be resolved. Now where are we supposed to go?” asked an exasperated parent on condition of anonymity.

“This just shows the callous attitude of the government officials. Now, who will come forward to help us? And by the time help comes, it will already be too late,” said a parent of another student whose me was listed under the quota.

Meanwhile, after taking stock of the situation, organisations like the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) have appealed to both the State governments for an early resolution to the issue so as to not impact the future of students.

“We were keeping a tab on the issue since it first surfaced on 18th August and were shocked to find from our GSU Khasi Hills unit of the conflicting reports. They were engrossed in putting the blame on each other rather than addressing the matter. We were relieved when the press statement regarding the lists came out from the government,” said GSU president Tengsak Momin.

“Upon telephonic enquiry and discussion with the concerned department, it has been communicated to us that there have been changes in education policy of other States, especially Assam, and hence the stumbling block to the aspiring MBBS candidates. That does not explain why the Meghalaya Government was not aware of it,” added Tengsak.

“We are really concerned over the matter. They were duly selected by the Under Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, through the NEC quota,” said ADE president Dalseng B Ch Momin.

The leaders of the two organisation said the Director of Medical Education had sought abolishment of 13 MBBS seats for Meghalaya and the reduction of the Central pool from 15 to 6.

“If the issue is not dealt with promptly, our State won’t be able to produce any doctor or dentist this year,” warned Dalseng.

ADE called the development a huge misfortune and regretted the fact that despite over four decades of attaining statehood, quality education could not be provided to children of Meghalaya.