Students, parents protest cancellation of counselling

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 15

High drama took place at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, here on Tuesday after nearly 40 students along with their parents staged protest against the GMCH authorities and accused the latter for giving preferential treatment to students of medical college.

The protesting students and their kin alleged that the hospital authorities did not share the verdict of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which has cancelled counselling for MD seats.

The students and their kin alleged that while the verdict was out during noon, the counselling continued till evening. They said it was around 4.30 pm that the counselling was cancelled.

Confusion prevailed as the Supreme Court had recently directed all medical institutes to wrap up their counselling before May 15.

The students demanded that they should be given in writing that the counselling was cancelled. However, the GMCH-32 authorities allegedly refused to give anything in writing. This triggered a protest and the students along with their parents staged a sit-in outside the office of Director Principal BS Chavan.

The police and private security staff of the hospital also reached the spot. Later, during the evening, the agitating students held a meeting with Prof Chavan, following which the matter was resolved and dharna was lifted.

There are a total of 125 seats for masters in the GMCH-32, out of which, 63 seats fall under the all-India quota and 62 seats are for those who have passed their MBBS from institutions in Chandigarh. Chandigarh has just one medical college, so barring 15 per cent reserved seats for SCs, all 62 seats go to the candidates from the GMCH.

Dr Chahat Bhatia had moved the High Court submitting that no institute could claim more than 25 per cent quota.

Sit-in outside Director-Principal's office 

The students demanded that they should be given in writing that the counselling was cancelled. However, the GMCH-32 authorities allegedly refused to give anything in writing. This triggered a protest and the students along with their parents staged a sit-in outside the office of Director-Principal BS Chavan. .