Supreme Court defers NEET PG Counselling 2021 hearing, Doctors launch Twitter storm demanding expedition

The batch of petitions had challenged the July 29th dated notification issued by the Centre and MCC providing the said reservations and the top court will now hear the matter next on November 23.

With this delay, the doctors have expressed their concerns regarding the further lag in the NEET-PG Counselling process.

Demanding expedition of the NEET PG Counselling, the medicos under the umbrella of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) have decided to launch a Twitter storm trending a hashtag #ExpediteNeetPGcounselling2021.

NEET PG counselling for 50 per cent AIQ seats was scheduled to begin from October 25, 2021. However, MCC had postponed the NEET PG counselling 2021 dates. Medical Dialogues had further reported that the Central Government had assured the top court that no NEET-PG Counselling would be held till there is a decision regarding the EWS matter.

Read Also: No NEET PG Counselling till EWS verdict

The bench of judges, including Justice DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna, had noted Centre's assurance and recorded that if the counselling process starts before the court takes a decision, the "students will be in a serious problem".

Earlier, on 21st October, the court had advised the Centre to revisit the limit of Rs 8 lakh annual income for determining the EWS category for reservation in medical admissions via NEET PG Counselling.

Thereafter, on October 26th, the Centre justified the reason behind its decision before the Supreme Court and an affidavit was filed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which said that the principle of fixing the amount is rational and in keeping with Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution.

Later, pointing towards the unusual delay in the PG medical admission this year, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) India had written to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court requesting him to expedite the counselling process.

Read Also: Help Expedite NEET PG Counselling: Doctors tell Chief Justice of India

During the recent hearing on the matter held on November 16th, the counsel asked the bench comprising honourable justice Justice Chandrachud, "Can we get a date for the NEET matter? Can it be taken up on 24th?," to which the judge replied, "We'll try to accommodate," quotes Bar and Bench.

The bench further agreed to the probable issuance of an interim order regarding admissions can be made.

Now, with the matter getting postponed by the Supreme Court, the doctors have urged the concerned authorities to expedite the NEET PG counselling process highlighting the issue faced by lakhs of Resident Doctors as well as NEET PG 2021 aspirants across the nation.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues about the deferment, Dr Rohan Krishnan, President, FAIMA stated, "Resident doctors are frustrated because of this delay. All the medical colleges in India and DNB doctors are working on half of their strength. As final year PGs will be undergoing exit exams in less than 6 months and no entry of first-year PGs, it is becoming more and more difficult to work. The already overburdened Resident Doctors are feeling the wrath of policy failures and it tells the story of delayed legal justice in our country."

"In such an emergency situation a fast track judgement is needed and we plead to the court that 24th November be the judgement day and admission process of 2021 batch is finished by 31st December 2021," he added. The association has stressed that the doctors 'will not be able to tolerate any further delay than 23rd November. "Henceforth, we will raise this issue and write to the Honorable Prime Minister & Health Minister of the Republic of India to take fast track action on this matter," Dr Rohan further added to this statement.

Meanwhile, the FAIMA has announced the launch of the Twitter Storm by trending a hashtag #ExpediteNeetPGcounselling2021 The medicos from SMS Medical College have joined the initiative.

"It's been a year JRs are working short of manpower! Doctors are now burnt out! We need to bring more doctors into the workforce ASAP! @FAIMA_INDIA_ in association with major RDAs and JDAs has initiated their nationwide sensitization drive to expedite NEET PG Counselling. Join us!," said FAIMA's General Secreatary on its official Twitter handle inviting all concerned NEET PG candidates and various stakeholders to participate in the movement.

Junior Resident Doctors association from SMS Medical College joins.

To view the official Supreme Court order, click here