Annamalai asks TN Govt's stand on NMC Guidelines for Private Medical Colleges

He asked if the State would ensure the implementation of the NMC rules that mentioned that the fees in 50% of seats in private medical colleges should be on a par with the government medical colleges.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC, the apex medical education regulatory body had clarified that the fees of 50 per cent seats in the private medical colleges would be at par with government medical colleges of that particular State/UT.

"After extensive consultations, it has been decided that the fee of the 50 per cent seats in the private medical colleges and deemed universities should be at par with the fee in the government medical colleges of that particular State and UT. The benefit of this fee structure would be first made available to those candidates who have availed government quota seats, but are limited to the extent of 50 per cent of the total sanctioned strength of the respective medical college/deemed university," NMC had mentioned in the notification.

Also Read: Private Medical Colleges upset with NMC fee order

As per the latest media report by The Hindu, referring to the new rules by NMC, Mr. Annamalai pointed out how students from rural areas and poor backgrounds were unable to join the courses in private medical colleges despite securing admission. The reason for this was mainly the high fees that the private institutes used to charge.

Thus, requesting the government for implementing the NMC guidelines on Private medical college fees, he said, "Now, under the new guidelines, poor students need to pay ₹13,610 alone in private medical colleges. Students and parents are waiting eagerly to see if Tamil Nadu will implement the guidelines. It will be a setback to private medical colleges in terms of their profit but will be of immense benefit to students. What action is the Tamil Nadu government going to take?"

It should be noted in this context that recently the a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had been filed before the Madras High Court seeking directions for implementing the NMC rules for fees.

Filed by an advocate, the plea had accused the private medical colleges of charging exorbitant fees of Rs 7.5-8 lakhs when the NMC, the Apex medical body had already fixed the fees for government quota seats at Rs 13,500.

However, the HC denied entertaining the plea on the ground that the petitioner had not impleaded any of such colleges or any of the aggrieved students as a party in the case.