Despite NMC rule capping MBBS seats per population, Puducherry CM Grants Permission to set up Private Medical Colleges

Puducherry: Although the National Medical Commission (NMC) recently capped the number of medical seats in a particular State/UT, Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy recently announced his decision to grant permission to set up private medical colleges in the Union Territory.

The CM made this announcement after inaugurating the IMPEXPO 2023 conference and expo organised by the Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital. He announced that the Government would accord permission to private players to set up medical colleges in the Union Territory.

This announcement of the CM is being frowned upon as releasing the "Guidelines for Under Graduate Courses under Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses & Assessment and Rating Regulations, 2023", the Apex Medical Commission prescribed a ratio of 100 MBBS seats per million population.

These Guidelines mentioned, "After A.Y. 2023-24, Letter of permission (LOP) for starting of new medical colleges shall be issued only for annual intake capacity of 50/100/150 seats; Provided that medical college shall follow the ratio of 100 MBBS seats for 10 lakh population in that state/ U.T."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that as a result of this new rule, several southern states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Telangana became ineligible to apply for any new medical college or any more seats.

The NMC decision is likely to affect Puducherry as well as the Union Territory currently has 1,830 MBBS seats. Among these 1,450 MBBS seats are present in the self-financing medical colleges.

On the other hand, the projected population of Puducherry as of 2022 is 15.98 lakh. Therefore, taking the new NMC guidelines into account, Puducherry is no longer eligible to establish new medical colleges or add new medical seats.

While these new rules are being opposed by Southern States including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, amidst this situation, the Chief Minister of Puducherry, N. Rangasamy announced on Thursday that the Government would grant permission to private players to set up medical colleges in the Union Territory, adds The Hindu.

The CM made this announcement after inaugurating the IMPEXPO 2023 conference and expo organised by the Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital. He said that all that was required was a 25-acre site that the private player should have to set up the college. He added that the government's aim was to have more medical colleges in the Union Territory for professionals of various disciplines to gain employment opportunities.

He further mentioned that even though Puducherrt has a robust healthcare system, more super-speciality services are required to ensure that the patients do not have to go to cities like Chennai to avail speciality care.

However, this announcement by the Chief Minister, in the context of the new NMC guidelines, has raised doubts. Commenting on the matter, former Lok Sabha member M Ramadass told The New Indian Express, “The chief minister’s statement to permit new medical colleges in the private sector may just be wishful thinking.”

“Given the existing NMC guidelines, it may not be possible for the applicant to get primary approval. Instead the CM should concentrate his efforts on the qualitative improvement of existing medical college in Puducherry," he further mentioned adding that setting up more medical colleges may not be possible in Puducherry if the Central Government does not changes its guidelines.

Meanwhile, leader of the opposition and Pondy DMK convenor R Siva has opined that the CM has made the wrong announcement without understanding the new guidelines.

He added that the CM's statement also appears to be politically motivated, made to appease certain people close to the ruling parties who are interest to set up new medical colleges.

Referring to the issue, Puducherry Congress President and Lok Sabha member V Vaithilingam claimed that the Chief Minister is trying to violate the central government guidelines for the benefit of persons close to him.

"Why is the CM interested in a new college when he is not able to secure 50% seats in private colleges under government students quota," Vaithilingam asked.

He pointed out that currently among the 1,450 MBBS seats available in seven self-financing medical colleges in Puducherry, only around 240 seats are available under the government quota, while the majority of seats are reserved for management quota. Vaithilingam added that this is benefitting the students from other states.

Meanwhile, amidst the opposition from the Southern States regarding the new guidelines, the National Medical Commission has stood by its decision to cap the number of MBBS seats in a particular State/UT by prescribing 100 MBBS seats per 10 lakh population ratio.

Issuing a Press Release in this regard, the Apex Medical Commission has informed that this decision was taken after considering the observations of various courts regarding the crowding of medical colleges.

The Commission has further opined that this decision of capping the MBBS seats is expected to reduce regional disparities in the availability of healthcare professionals. NMC mentioned in the release that "With this ratio there will be still potential for addition of about 40,000 MBBS seats in country if the medical colleges are evenly distributed."

Also Read: 100 MBBS Seats for 10 Lakh Population Ratio: NMC Stands by its Decision, issues statement