By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State government is yet to take a call on the implementation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) while selecting candidates for MBBS course in various medical colleges under the State quota.
Informing this here on Monday, Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek said that there was an ambiguity in the letter issued by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 20 last.
He said that in the letter it was mentioned that the allotment of seats should be based as per the examination conducted by the respective states.
The Union Ministry in the letter did make a reference to an interim order of the Supreme Court relating to the need of conducting NEET based on CBSE syllabus for allotment of MBBS seats as per the Central pool, Hek said adding “We are still examining the letter”.
He, however, assured that the allotment of the MBBS seats would be done in a transparent manner.
“We will take a decision which would be in the best interest of the students from the State,” Hek added.
Meanwhile, official sources said that the Government is not very much in favour to implement the NEET.
“The Government would not like to implement this new system in a short span of time,” official sources added.
Earlier, the KSU had opposed the move to select candidates for MBBS course in various medical colleges under the State quota as per NEET merit list.
SHILLONG MEDICAL COLLEGE: Shifting of patients from Reid Chest Hospital to the new location in order to pave way for the construction of Shillong Medical College may start in two years time from now.
Talking to media persons here in the city on Monday, Hek said that the construction of a new hospital for shifting patients of Reid Chest Hospital has already started at Umsawli.
The Health and Family Welfare Department at present is chalking out plans and estimates of the Shillong Medical College and Hospital that will come up at Jhalupara.
The proposed target of making the hospital functional, as set by the State Government, is within May 2017.
The State Government has inked a concessionaire agreement with Kolkata-based KPC Group for setting up of the much-awaited Shillong Medical College under the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.
The proposed Shillong Medical College site at Jhalupara in a land of 23.8 acres will house over 500 beds and cater to over 200,000 patients every year. It has been said that the Government would require a maximum contribution of Rs 100 crore from the private firm for the project.
Faculty has been a point of concern for many as it is well known that professors from the country are not willing to visit the North East region but the State Government is confident of acquiring qualified teachers as faculty for the medical college.
Meanwhile, the minister also said that the Government is in continuous touch with doctors who are doing their courses from the state quota to ensure that they come back and serve the State.
“Anybody who is pursuing his studies under the state quota will have to pay the bond of Rs 25 lakh if they don’t come back and serve the State,” Hek told reporters.