DME cancels, postpones counselling after ruckus

By Express News Service  |   Published: 24th May 2017 02:06 AM  |  

Doctors, who came to attend PG counseling for self-financing colleges, arguing with the police and selection committee officials over the non-availability of enough seats on Tuesday | Express

CHENNAI: THE Directorate of Medical Education cancelled and postponed indefinitely counselling to fill Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) seats in self-financing colleges that was scheduled for noon session on Tuesday, after the candidates and parents alleged the colleges surrendered only a limited number of seats.

Police were called in after the ruckus in the counselling hall to pacify the candidates and their parents.
Counselling to fill management and government quota seats in MDS course was scheduled for noon session at the Government Multi-Super-Speciality Hospital, Omandurar government estate, Anna Salai, after PG medical counselling was over in the morning session.

When the session was about to start, candidates argued with officials that minority colleges did not surrender to the government the number of seats that they should.  As  per rules, these institutions should surrender 50 per cent of seats while it was 65 per cent for non-minority colleges.

Ramya Dharshini, a candidate who came from Madurai to attend the counselling, said minority colleges surrendered less number of seats. Also, there were only 108 seats available while officials had called 600 candidates for counselling.

Speaking to Express, selection committee secretary G Selvaraj cited rules and also an order of the Madras HC that minority institutions can surrender the number of seats they are willing to give. “They surrendered only that much. Without realising this, candidates created a ruckus,” he said.

Second phase of medical counselling today

On Tuesday, 24 management quota PG Medical seats in self-financing colleges were allotted. Over 1,881 candidates were called, of which 230 attended. As many as 206 have been wait-listed. The second phase of medical counselling for government quota seats in self-financing colleges will be conducted on Wednesday.