In-service quota of PG medical, dental seats withdrawn

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/18/stories/2006061821730500.htm

In-service quota of PG medical, dental seats withdrawn

B.S. Ramesh

Discrepancies noticed in rank list, says Government Discrepancies noticed in rank list: Government

# Weightage of two marks for every year of service is given to in-service doctors
# Scores of students started attending classes more than a month ago

BANGALORE: Taking scores of postgraduate (PG) students by surprise, the State Government has withdrawn the provisional allotment of in-service candidates from the Department of Health and Family Welfare for admission to postgraduate degree and diploma courses in medicine and dentistry for 2006-07.

It has ordered re-counselling of candidates who appeared for the postgraduate common entrance test (PGCET) 2006.

The decision has come as a shock for several doctors who have secured admission to colleges for degree and diploma courses under the in-service quota and started attending classes.

The Government Order, issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, says the direction on re-counselling of seats for in-service candidates was made under Rule 19 (5) of the Karnataka Conduct of Entrance Test for Admission to Postgraduate Medical and Dental Degree and Diploma Courses Rule, 2003.

Justifying the cancellation, sources in the Government told The Hindu on Friday that discrepancies were noticed in the rank list of in-service candidates selected and prepared by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and sent to the Selection Committee of PGCET 2006.

The committee, which went into the issue, held a meeting on June 2 and recommended to the Government to withdraw the allotment of seats made on May 8, and conduct counselling again. The Government accepted the recommendations and issued an order on June 12 seeking a fresh process to select in-service candidates.

Candidates said PGCET 2006 was held on February 12. On May 2, a notification issued giving weightage of two marks for every year of service/contract for in-service doctors subject to a maximum of 30 marks.

On May 6, the rank list of PGCET 2006 was issued, and counselling held on May 8. Selected candidates joined courses on May 9.