Maha CET Cell allows MBBS candidate to participate in Stray vacancy round after SSPM admission row
Maharashtra: An aspirant, who had alleged that SSPM Medical College refused to admit him after he failed to pay the demanded amount of Rs 9.2 lakh and pressured him to withdraw his complaint, has now been permitted by the Maharashtra CET Cell to participate in the upcoming stray vacancy round of MBBS admissions.
According to TOI report, the aspirant had alleged harassment and intimidation by authorities at SSPM Medical College in Sindhudurg
This decision has been made as a one-time exception to ensure that a candidate from an economically weaker section does not lose an academic year.
Regarding this, CET Commissioner Dilip Sardesai said, "We have decided to allow this student to take part in the final round so that his career is not jeopardised. He has the merit to secure a seat in a medical college”.
The Maharashtra CET Cell will soon begin its final admission round. A total of 387 MBBS seats remain available across Maharashtra, 37 of which are in government colleges. Therefore, students will now have the opportunity to choose new colleges during this round.
Meanwhile, speaking to the TOI, in this regard, the student said, "I am happy that my demand has been accepted. This shows that the college was at fault. However, the CET Cell and the Admission Regulatory Authority must still take disciplinary action against the institute. He also said that the state should set up a help desk in semi-government colleges to assist students facing difficulties during the admission process.
The student alleged that the college demanded over ₹9 lakh in hostel and mess fees and refused to grant him admission in Round 2 when he declined to pay for those optional facilities. The student, belonging to the Scheduled Caste category and hailing from Repanpalli village in Gadchiroli. According to his written complaint, after being allotted the same college in Round 3, he carried a demand draft of ₹50,000 for the tuition fees after checking the amount on the college website but officials again insisted on the hostel and mess fees.The student claimed that he was later pressured to send an email stating that he had “no complaint” against the college. He told ARA that the email was sent under duress while he was on the college premises. The incident left him in distress, as inability to get admission in Round 3 would have disqualified him from the remaining process.
During the ARA hearing, the Medical College clarified that there was no compulsion for students to use hostel or mess facilities. The college’s representative stated that both amenities were optional, and the student could have been admitted without availing of them. ARA then decided to prioritise the student’s future and allowed him to participate in the fourth round of admissions, reports HT
“We have given the student another chance based on his merit. His education must not suffer because of such circumstances,” said ARA Secretary and CET Cell commissioner Dilip Sardesai.
Responding to the allegations, SSPM Medical College dean Dr Vandana Gaopande denied any wrongdoing. “No fee is demanded in SSPM Medical College other than what is approved by the Fee Regulatory Authority,” she said. “Hostel and mess facilities are optional and not mandatory for any student. The college has not forced anyone to send emails or withdraw complaints. We strictly follow all rules set by the CET Cell, FRA, ARA and DMER.”
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