TN Govt assures to reduce MBBS fee of converted Erode Medical College, TNMSA threatens further stir

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-02-10T09:30:32+05:30 | Updated On 10 Feb 2021 9:30 AM IST

TN Govt assures to reduce MBBS fee of converted Erode Medical College, TNMSA threatens further stir

Coimbatore: The demand of the protesting medicos to reduce the MBBS fee of Erode Government Medical College and Hospital is likely to see daylight as Tamil Nadu Medical Student Association (TNMSA) has confirmed that the State government has decided to drag down the fee structure to bring it at par with other government medical colleges.

According to the association, the ordinance is due within a week. However, it has warned that if the government does not issue an order regarding a fresh fee structure of the medical college, they will continue their protest.

With the take over of Rajah Muthiah Medical College by the Tamil Nadu Government, the MBBS students of Erode GMCH too came forward with their demand of reducing the fee for medical courses and protested at the college premises. Doctor's Association for Social Equality (DASE) and TNMSA have been vocal about the issue and have actively supported the protest and the demand of the medicos as well.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Government Erode Medical College and Hospital formerly known as the Institute of Road and Transport (IRT) Perundurai Medical College was established in 1992. In 2018 when the government decided to take the college under its wing, it moved the college from the Transport Department to the Health and Family Welfare Department. In 2019, the Tamil Nadu Government took over the IRT Perundurai Medical College and renamed it as Government Erode Medical College, affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, Chennai.

Though the name and control over the institution changed, the fee structure of the institution did not change at all as the medical students continue to pay Rs 3.85 lakh every year instead of Rs 13,160, which is the standard government medical college fee. Hence, revision in the fee structure has been a long-sought demand for the medicos of Erode GMCH.

Also Read: Over 150 MBBS students protest against high fees at hybrid Govt Erode Medical college

As per a recent media report by The Hindu, the medicos claimed that apart from the fee, they have to pay Rs 26,110 as other college fees, Rs 56,000 as hostel fee, Rs 48,000 food expenses, an advance of Rs 25,000, Rs 7,473 as university fee and spend Rs 20,000 on books and accessories. "Thus, we have to pay rs 5,42,583 annually to the college," they said.

Consequently, demanding to reduce fee structure, over 150 MBBS students of 'hybrid' Government Erode Medical College and Hospital protested against the high fee structure even after being taken over by the government for two years now. The medicos had raised slogans and staged a demonstration in front of the institution demanding to reduce the fee and bring it to par with other government medical colleges.

In this regard, the Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association (TNMSA) representatives of the Erode Medical College met the Secretary of Public Welfare Dr.Radhakrishnan at the General Secretariat today.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the association posted on social media stating, " The Secretary of Public Welfare promised that the government would issue a fee reduction within 5 days. Thank you to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Hon'ble Edappadi K Palaniswami, Minister for People's Welfare Dr.C.Vijayabaskar, and Secretary for Public Welfare. This is a huge success for Dr.G.R.Ravindranath, president of DASE who has consistently struggled for the cause also."

Meanwhile, Doctor's Association for Social Equality (DASE) also supported the cause of the protest and stated that the Government of Tamil Nadu has promised to reduce the tuition fees of the students of the Government Erode Medical College (IRT Perundurai) on par with other Medical Colleges of the State of Tamil Nadu. As per the association, the Tamil Nadu government has promised to issue an order for this within a week. Thus, the government will be committed to safeguarding social justice in medical education and it will pave the way for the doors of this college to be opened for the poor and simple students, the doctor's body added.

A statement signed by GR Ravindranath, General Secretary of the association stated," This is a victory for the struggle of medical students. The Doctors' Association for Social Equality urges the Government of Tamil Nadu to issue a directive within a week to reduce the fees available to the children of transport workers of the Government of Tamil Nadu in this college. The Doctors' Association for Social Equality urges the administration of the college and the Government of Tamil Nadu not to impose any repression on struggling students."

mbbs feesmedical college feestamil nadu medical collegesIRT Perundurai Medical CollegeGovernment erode medical collegegovt medical collegeerode medical college protestTNMSADoctor Association for Social EqualityTamil Nadu Medical Students AssociationSecretary of Public Welfaredr Radhakrishnanmbbserode medical college

Source : with inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.