Chennai, July 30:
CPM state secretary P Shanmugam on Wednesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against its order directing the State to surrender 151 vacant super-speciality (DM/MCh) medical seats to the All India Quota.
Pointing out that a large number of seats remained unfilled, Shanmugam said the State could have conducted another round of counselling with relaxed eligibility criteria for in-service government doctors. Of the 214 seats reserved for government doctors out of a total of 430, only 63 were filled, leaving 151 vacant.
Describing the courtâs direction as a setback to Tamil Naduâs rights and its medical education system, he called on the State to take immediate legal steps. He also urged the government to engage senior legal experts and pass an Assembly resolution opposing the transfer of State quota super-speciality seats to the All India Quota.
Shanmugam further reiterated the long-standing demand to move education back to the State List, arguing that such decisions should rest with the States.
In addition, he sought improved career prospects for super-speciality graduates and called for a reduction in the âč40 lakh bond amount imposed on private doctors.