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A matter of concern (October 18) Two months have elapsed sine the State entrance test for MBBS course for this year was held. Of the 61 candidates selected, 27 have been sent to medical institutions outside the State and they have already started attending normal classes. It is a matter of grave concern that 34 State students who had been selected for the course have not been allowed formal admission to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, RIMS due to the nonpayment of the contributory share by the State government to the institution which is functioning with fifty per cent funding from the North East Council. Though the students are allowed to attend classes without formal registration, they are facing problems galore. Their names are not marked in the roll call register and another thing bothering them is that consciously or unconsciously they feel like losing face in front of their colleagues from other North eastern states. It is shocking to learn that they will lose one semester; these students attend afternoon classes without lunch, as they have not been allotted hostel facilities. This will give a severe blow to the dedicated students who had toiled day and night for getting selected to the course. Ironically they are made to suffer for no fault of theirs. It is hard to imagine how the students would be studying in such an atmosphere. They are now facing one of the biggest dilemmas of their careers. The standoff comes at a time when the State is facing a drought of medical experts. The health and medical sector is in such an abysmal condition now that it will take quite a long time in making up the deficiencies. Upto-date health facilities are available only in the city and the condition in other districts and remote areas is better to leave unmentioned. There is a lack of doctors in most of the Government hospitals, PHCs and CHCs etc. One more point to note is that if the State government is not at all in a position to pay up the due amount, it should be a better option to stop selection of State candidates for admission to the RIMS for a definite period though the selection for outside institution could be carried out uninterrupted. Leaving aside the fact that there have been two court rulings on the matter, the stance of the NEC could be well understood, as it seems to have lost faith in the State Government. However, if this impasse is to continue, the state government needs to take up some steps as the careers of the students are at stake. So instead of giving unnecessary pressure on the institute alone, the government should directly approach the NEC and strike a deal for the welfare of the students, as the NE body seems to be the only authority, which can allow the admission of the students. The government can convince the NEC to waive off the amount. The NEC should also on the other hand take into consideration the present financial condition of the state as it in one way or the other involved with all the North East states. One point the Government can suggest to the next NEC meeting is including one clause for waiving off such dues for the states with critical financial health. It will go a long way in improving the overall situation of the particular state. (Courtesy: The Sangai Express) Back to Top FrontPage Manipur Profiles Features Potpourri Opinions Editorials Books Photos Links Archives Contact Policy/Disclaimer |
