Failure to hike intake capacity at JNIMS : PIL seeks answer on failure
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2020:
A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) has been filed in the High Court of Manipur against the State's 'failure' to increase the number of MBBS seats at JNIMS (Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences).
A division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice MV Muralidaran heard the PIL on December 3 and issued notice to the State and Union of India returnable on December 17.The PIL was filed by one L Manihar of Langthabal Phura Makhong under Article 226 of the Constitution against the State of Manipur represented by Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary/Commissioner/Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Director Health and Family Welfare Government of Manipur, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Medical Commission through the Chairperson.
The PIL mentioned that a circulation was issued by the Director JNIMS Manipur for increasing student intake to 150 from 100 on receipt of approval from the Ministry of Family and Health welfare, Government of India.
Chief Minister of Manipur had also acknowledged the approval of the Ministry and assured to increase the number of seats.
However, no positive steps have been taken for increasing the number of seats for admission to MBBS course in Manipur even after the announcement of NEET (UG) 2020 .
Therefore, the successful candidates of the common entrance examination as well as their parents and civil society organisations of the State through local dailies had demanded the authorities concerned to increase the number of seats.
Above this, most of the States in India have increased the number of MBBS seats in their medical colleges.
However, despite approval, the number of MBBS seats in Manipur have not been increased through necessary funds released by Ministry since 2017 .
Asserting that the inaction/action of the State is illegal, unlawful, arbitrary, malafide and discriminatory in the matter, the PIL prayed the Court for issuance of appropriate writ/order/direction to the respondents to increase the number of seats for admission to MBBS course in the State from the academic session 2020-2021 .
The petitioner produced many supporting documents including a circulation issued by Director JNIMS for increasing the number of MBBS seats, a letter from Ministry to the Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Government of Manipur for increasing MBBS seats and a Facebook post uploaded by Chief Minister N Biren Singh acknowledging the approval for increasing the number of seats.
The petitioner also produced a written reply given by Union Health Minister in the Lok Sabha regarding the increase in the number of MBBS seats throughout the country.
The Court after hearing the submissions, issued notice to the respondents returnable on December 17 and fixed the same day for further hearing.