SC asks Centre to allocate 10 medical seats to State

FROM A CORRESPONDENT 

SHILLONG, Sept 23: The Supreme Court on Friday has directed that 10 medical seats be allocated to Meghalaya out of 27 seats available in Assam. 

“Keeping in view the interest of the Meghalaya, it is directed that 10 out of 27 seats shall be allocated to it. The state of Assam is allocated 17 out of 27 seats. Both the Assam and Meghalaya shall conduct counseling in an objective and appropriate manner so that the merit should be the exclusive criterion from amongst the NEET qualified candidates. Any candidate is not qualified in NEET shall not be entitled for consideration,” the court order said.

The Supreme Court in its order further stated that if the petitioners and intervener qualify in accordance with the merit list drawn up by the competent authority, they shall be called for counseling and seats shall be accordingly filled up.

“Barring 27 seats, no counseling should take place in respect of any other seats. The counseling shall be completed within 10 days from today (Friday),” the Supreme Court further said in its order.

The Apex court further stated, “This is purely an interim arrangement and the controversy that has been raised in the special leave petition and the origil suit   shall be decided on their own merits.”

The next hearing will be held in the second week of January next year.