THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major decision that could invite severe criticism, the government has decided to introduce an ordinance to regularise admissions to 150 seats in Kannur Medical College, which were found irregular by the Admission Supervisory Committee (ASC) and cancelled by the apex court.
In a way, the new ordinance, if implemented, will help regularise admissions to medical seats in other colleges, which were set aside by the Admission Supervisory Committee .
However, there are major concerns within the government whether it will stand legal scrutiny. The Justice James Committee for fee regulation and admission to professional colleges had cancelled the admission of 150 students - enrolled during 2016-17 to Kannur Medical College at Ancharakandi - after it was found the admission proceedings were irregular. The High Court and later the apex court upheld the decision.
The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to recommend the Governor to promulgate an ordinance to facilitate further studies of the students. It decided to bring in the ordinance after the students who got admission to the seats and their parents approached the government. Once the ordinance comes into effect, each student will have to submit applications through the university. Cancelled admissions to 39 seats in Karuna Medical College, Palakkad, 11 seats to Malabar Medical College and eight seats to Al Azhar Medical College, Thodupuzha, may also benefit with the move. Top sources with the Health Department are of the view the ordinance may not stand legal scrutiny.
V S Senthil is CM’s Principal Secretary
T’Puram: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to appoint Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) VS Senthil as Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary (Coordination). Senthil, who is set to retire on September 30, will be appointed in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary with effect from October 1