Telangana Seat Blocking Scam: Private medical colleges booked, KNRUHS increases Exit Fee

Hyderabad: In the latest update regarding the alleged PG medical seat blocking scam in Telangana, police have booked several private medical colleges of the State under Section 417 and 420 of the IPC. The matter has also been referred to the National Medical Commission (NMC) which may take disciplinary action against the colleges.

Meanwhile, the Director of Medical Education (DME) of Telangana Ramesh Reddy has informed the media yesterday that not a single seat was taken by the seat blockers as the Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) was quick to identify the discrepencies. 

In order to put an end to the issue of seat blocking, the University authorities have informed about their decision of increasing the exit fee for vacating seats from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the seat blocking scam in Telangana, where the Governor had written to the Vice Chancellor of KNRUHS seeking a detailed report regarding the matter on an urgent basis.

The university authorities, while checking the ongoing admission process, recently found some "discrepancies" in the merit list with regard to 45 applicants (wherein seats were blocked in the names of students), who had applied for counselling for admission into postgraduate courses offered by private medical colleges.

As per the latest media report by the New Indian Express, initiating action against the alleged seat blocking scam, Matwada Police have booked a few private medical colleges of the State after it received directions in this regard from Warangal Commissioner of Police Dr Tarun Joshi. The colleges have been booked under Section 417 and 420 of IPC.

Previously, the registrar of KNRUHS, Dr. D Praveen Kumar had complained before the Commissioner and stated that some of the top rank holders from Bihar, UP, Maharashtra had blocked some seats in private medical colleges.

While commenting on the matter, the ACP of Warangal K Giri informed NIE that the evidences submitted by University were inadequate for probing the matter. He also stated that they were trying to contact the police of other States. Besides, the special teams that have been given the responsibility of probing the matter may be sent to the private medical colleges and also approach the residences of students whose names had been used for blocking the seats.

The University authorities on the other hand have discovered that 25 private medical colleges allegedly involved in this alleged seat blocking scam. While responding to a question about the action being taken against the students, KNRUHS registrar D Praveen Kumar told NIE, "We do not have the authority to take action. After the police inquiry, the report would be submitted to the government, which will take appropriate action."

Further mentioning that the issue has been referred to the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), now NMC, the authorities further mentioned, "The MCI can issue a notice to the erring medical college and even cancel their licences. Their response is awaited."