TIRUCHY: He ought to have been in the third year of his MBBS course now but instead, he is seen grazing cattle back home.
A 21-year-old youth, M Ramkumar, son of Manohar, of Melapettai, Athavathur from Srirangam taluk, dreamt of becoming a doctor and pursued his first year MBBS at a private college in Thiruvallur district in 2012-13 after his father sold their family land to pay Rs 20 lakh as ‘donation’ and Rs 8 lakh as fees for the first year. But his dream was soon shattered and he is running from pillar to post to get back the Rs 28 lakh he paid to the college — the institution has not received approval from Medical Council of India (MCI).
“I joined DD Medical College and Hospital located in Thiruvallur district in 2012-13. However, I was not aware of that the college did not have approval from MCI. The government took steps only for first batch students (2010-11), who were given admission in various government hospitals. But, for the next two batches, there was no any action,” said Ramkumar, adding, “I scored 1,025 marks in my Plus Two examination.”
Says Ramkumar, “I did not meet the cut-off (170). However, I wanted to pursue medicine and asked my father to sell our lands,” he said.
However, his dream run lasted only a year. “I completed only one year, after which I was made to leave the college after constant protests and arrest of the college management chairman in a swindling case. Though I petitioned the district administration and Chief Minister Special Cell for the refund of capitation fee, I could not get the amount,” the youth lamented, adding that his batch had 113 students.
Even when he approached banks for loan during his study, the banker (UCO) denied the loan stating that the college did not have approval. “We asked the college chairman and he said that the college would get approval soon. I sensed then that the college was not approved and it felt like I was kicked on my face,” he mumbled.
Ramkumar also sent many petitions to various departments, including the district administration and CM special cell. “I request the government to take necessary steps to repay my amount so that I can run a business to make ends meet,” he said.
When contacted, Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr S Geethalakshmi told Express that they had settled every issue at that time. “But these students may have joined even after knowing that the said medical college was not approved by any medical bodies, including the MCI,” she added.