BENGALURU: As private medical colleges in the state have decided not to share their seats, the state government is now trying its luck with deemed medical universities.
Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil convened a meeting with representatives of deemed medical universities on Friday, in which seven varsities were represented.
After the two-hour-long meeting, the representatives said they will communicate with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and sought 15 days’ time.
A representative of one of the deemed medical universities told Express, “As we all come directly under the UGC, we need to get its permission or know whether we can share seats with the government or not.”
“All these years, those who have given undertaking to the state government on giving 25 per cent of the enhanced seats, used to give admissions to students through CET. And some used to give seats voluntarily. Now we have to clarify things with the UGC as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is in process,” said the vice-chancellor of a deemed medical university.
However, representatives of all the deemed medical universities have decided to hold a separate meeting on the issue and then write to the UGC.
“As we are under pressure from the state govenrment to give 25 per cent seats to CET students, we need to get clarity from the UGC on providing seats. If UGC says yes, then we have to give seats,” said another management representative.
There are over 10 deemed medical universities in the state, having 1,550 seats. In 2015, 127 of these seats were allotted to CET students.
“In 2015, the universities which got enhancement of seats have given 25 per cent of the enhanced seats to the government. Now, we are requesting for 25 per cent on overall intake with equal fee. They said they will come back after 15 days and we will wait,” said a senior official of the Medical Education Department.
Varsities may budge
The chances of the government getting 25 per cent seats from deemed medical universities is high this time as most of these universities belong to senior Congress leaders.
For example, Siddartha University, Tumakuru, is owned by Home Minister G Parameshwara while Devaraj Urs Medical University, Kolar, is owned by senior Congress leader R L Jalappa.
“The minister is planning to have a meeting with the heads of the managements to make them understand the situation and convince them,” said an official.