Uncertainty still looms over admissions in Sardar Rajas College

Even after three months, no solution has emerged on the admission of 124 students of Jaring-based Sardar Rajas Medical college. In a meeting convened by the Union Health ministry in New Delhi on November 9, the State government has expressed its inability to admit the 124 students into government medical colleges as they do not fulfill the eligibility criteria as per AIPMT rankings. The students admitted to Sardar Rajas College have lower ranks and such a step would create disparity and give unnecessary benefits to the students of the private college, argued the Health secretary at the meeting. Meanwhile, the decision has been sent to the executive council of the Medical Council of India (MCI). Moreover, the Union Health department will also present its argument on the matter before the Orissa High Court.

Recently, the Orissa High Court had directed the Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) to apprise the court of the decision taken to accommodate the students of Sardar Rajas Medical College at Jaring in Kalahandi district and facilitate their admission in three private medical colleges in the state.

“In order to ensure that the studies of the medical students are not hampered, the Supreme Court and the High Court have given their views. We are currently in discussion with MCI, and whatever decisions are taken as per law it will be carried out,” said Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak.

Earlier, this month, the Supreme Court had ordered a stay on the admissions in 150 seats of Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Rourkela and Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar (KIMS) after both the institutes got entangled in issues of violating norms and lack of adequate infrastructure.