IMPHAL, August 8: Students and guardians alike have voiced their concern over the seat allocation for MBBS/BDS candidates post selection for the current academic session 2014, conducted by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur.
According to sources, altogether 131 candidates were selected for the current year for the state based on merit list. Of the total number of candidates 67 seats are unreserved, 40 seats for Schedule Tribe, 16 for IBC (M), 5 seats for OBC (MP) and 3 for Schedule caste (SC) adding that 115 of the total seats are for MBBS course while the remaining 16 seats are for BDS course.
The second counselling for the shortlisted candidates was reportedly conducted on July 27 last however the first counselling scheduled to be held on June 25 was cancelled due unknown reason.
The question here is that there are only two institutes for pursuing the MBBS/BD courses which included the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).
Only 30 seats are reserved for the state in RIMS while 60 seats at the JNIMS, moreover, there is no facility for pursuing BDS course in JNIMS till date. In the meantime, the remaining 41 of the total 131 seats, handful of seats will be central pool allocation which is yet to b ascertained.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty prevailing amongst the guardians and students’ community, the directorate of Health Services, Manipur has scheduled for another counselling for the selection candidates.
More striking is that amidst the proposed counselling the selected candidates had to get themselves admitted following notice for admission of the selected candidates on August 2, 2014 thereby creating more confusion for double admission if the central pool allocation is curtained.
Speaking to IFP, Director of Health Services, A Bijoy Singh, clarified that the admission notice issued before the counselling and central pool allocation, was due to apprehension that the session could start anytime.
Of the total 100 available seats in RIMS 70 will be reserved for other states (regional), said the Director adding that all the students have been admitted.
He pointed out that during the last session the central pool allocation was 20 for MBBS course while 2 for BDS.
Even if the allocation is late for this current year, the distribution of seats for UR, SC/ST, OBC will be carried out as per the guideline, asserted the Director adding that there will be no problem for students who are seeking admission in other states.