ED conducts inspection at KIMS, Hi-Tech, Sum Hospital over NRI quota admission

Teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday launched simultaneous raids on several hospitals in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.

As per initial reports, the raids were conducted at  Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS ), Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital and Sum Hospital.

A five-member ED team from Kolkata carried out the investigation pertaining to NRI quota admission.

Investigations and Raids

As per reports, ED teams from Kolkata conducted the raids at the hospitals following a scandal in West Bengal, which implicated a high-profile figure, exposing possible parallels with the NRI quota in Odisha. Allegations indicate that seats meant for NRI students may have been manipulated and sold for hefty profits.

Method and Financial Implications

Investigations reveal the potential use of counterfeit NRI certificates to illegitimately reserve seats, which are then sold at elevated rates. Typically, NRI students pay higher fees; for example, at KIMS Medical College, the Indian student fee amounts to Rs 83.25 lakhs as compared to Rs 1.95 crore for NRI students.

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Broad Impact and Response

The ED has been probing alleged scams from 2017 to 2024, having previously detained several officials and a former West Bengal Education Minister in connection with the scandal. Recent raids have also taken place in West Bengal, resulting in valuable document seizures linked to this affair.

While the ED has not yet publicised specific charges, the investigations have sparked significant discourse. Responses from the affected institutions, KIMS, Hi-Tech, and SUM hospitals are pending.

"Those who are good students they are not getting a seat in medical colleges. However, those who have money are managing medical seats by arranging duplicate NRI certificates. What will they do by becoming doctors? ED must conduct raids in different educational institutions in this regard," said educationist Er Dilip Sahu.