Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam of the DMK held a heated exchange with each other today over the issuing of Special Status to Tamil Nadu in the Medical Council of India. The Union Health Minister expressed his displeasure at what he called an “excessive demand” made by the DMK. In an interview to reporters after the meeting, Mandaviya said, “The issue of medical colleges comes under Union Territory jurisdiction and cognizance. I will take up this matter with the Centre.”
Union Health Minister Mandaviya addresses DMK MPs over TN medical colleges
A heated exchange between Union Health Minister Jugal Kishore Mandaviya and DMK MPs over the issue of admission in Tamil Nadu’s medical colleges became evident on Thursday when the minister addressed a meeting of his party’s MPs. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva urged the minister to intervene and provide admissions in all the state’s schools, while another MP T. Raja said that the government should take into account the demand of students who had scored well in entrance tests. The minister hit back at both MPs, saying that if they did not agree with his decision then they could resign from the government. He added that he would not allow anyone to interfere with the functioning of state institutions…
The row over admissions to medical colleges in Tamil Nadu has been simmering for some time now. In March this year, it was reported that around 6,000 students had failed to get admission in medical colleges across Tamil Nadu as there was a severe shortage of seats. This shortage is attributed to a rise in the number of students applying for admission and an increasing number of seats being offered by various schools across the state. The government has tried to tackle this problem by introducing a mandatory reservation policy for minorities and economically weaker sections in favour of rural candidates. However, this has not been enough to placate Everyone is keen to see who will be able to make a dent in CM Karunanidhi’s formidable hold on party structures and power base
DMK MPs raise objections over Union Health Minister Mandaviya’s comments
DMK MPs raised objections over Union Health Minister Mandaviya’s comments, alleging that the minister was trying to divide the people of Tamil Nadu. In a press conference on Friday, Mandaviya had said that the Central government would provide funds for the renovation and expansion of Tamil Nadu’s medical colleges only if the state government agreed to induct students from Kerala. He added that the state would have to take responsibility for the welfare of these students. DMK MPs alleged that Mandaviya was trying to create division within the people of Tamil Nadu. “This is not a matter of giving money or taking money. This is a matter of dividing our people and creating enmity between different sections of society,” said Stalin while speaking to reporters.
Stalin also accused Mandaviya of being biased against Tamil Nadu and said that he should instead focus on improving healthcare in the state. He added that DMK would raise this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Chennai later this month.
Union Health Minister Mandaviya hits back at DMK MPs
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday hit back at DMK MPs, accusing them of trying to politicize the issue of medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Ministers from various states, Vardhan said that the Union government was not in favour of setting up new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and has been asking the state government to improve the existing ones. He also accused the DMK of trying to “capture” these colleges for its own benefit. TheDMK had earlier this week sought an assurance from Vardhan that all new medical colleges set up by the Union government would be given to Tamil Nadu. Mandaviya fired back at DMK MPs, accusing them of “misleading” people over the issue. He said that there have been no proposals made by the Union government to set up any new medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and that any such proposal would only come after proper consultations with all stakeholders.
DMK MPs walk out of the meeting
As the Union Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, began to speak in the Tamil Nadu Medical Colleges (TNMC) meeting, DMK MPs walked out of the room. The minister was heckled and interrupted by the DMK members throughout his speech. Mandaviya demanded to know why the number of seats in TNMCs had not been increased despite assurances given during its formation, while also asking about reports that doctors were being transferred from government hospitals to TNMCs. The heated exchange between the two parties continued into a vote on Assembly resolution on TNMCs, with the DMK members voting against it while the majority of Dr. Harsh Vardhan’s BJP colleagues abstained.
Conclusion
Union Health Minister J P Nadda today held a heated exchange with DMK MPs over the closure of medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Mandaviya said that they (the Union government) have been “misleading” the people and accused the Centre of favouring private medical institutions over state-owned medical colleges.
