Centre opposes 50% super-speciality quota for in-service doctors

Centre opposes 50% super-speciality quota for in-service doctors

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

The 50% in-service quota in medical super-speciality courses for government doctors is set to be another Centre-state tussle, as the Union government told the Madras high court that it was against the proposal.

Noting that the Centre was not in agreement with TN to provide 50% in-service reservation, and that he has received written instructions from the Centre to this effect, senior Union government standing counsel Subbu Ranga Bharathi sought time to file a detailed counter.

The submission was made on a plea moved by a group of government doctors seeking direction to TN government to notify 50% of vacancies for in-service candidates for admission to super speciality medical courses for the academic year 2020-2021 in institutions in the state.

When the plea came up for hearing before Justice N Anand Venkatesh, Tamil Nadu advocate-general Vijay Narayan submitted that the state is now in the process of assessing the total seats that are to be filled up in PG and also superspeciality courses. “The decision taken by the government will be reported in the next date of hearing,” Vijay Narayan said.

Recording the submissions, Justice Anand Venkatesh said, “The Supreme Court in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers’ Association and others case has specifically traced the power of reservation of in-service candidates. Both the Centre and the state will have powers to enact a law with regard to providing reservation for in-service candidates in PG and super-specialty courses (as per the SC order),” the judge said.

“In view of the divergent opinions expressed by the Centre and state, this court has to necessarily hear the versions of both sides before passing final orders,” the judge said and adjourned the plea to November 9.

Earlier, advocate G Sankaran, representing the petitioner, contended that as per a SC order dated August 31, the state has legislative competence and authority to provide them a separate source of entry for in-service candidates seeking admission to PG degree courses.