‘Hand over case to CBI’

Hyderabad: The medical fraternity lauded the decision of Governor ESL Narasimhan to scrap the PG Medical entrance examination at a panel discussion organised by the Jana Vigyana Vedika, a wing of All India People’s Science Network on Thursday. Experts from various fields, Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) members and PG aspirants took part in the event and aired their views.

At the discussion, Prof. P Nageshwar Rao, member of legislative council (MLC), praised JUDA for unearthing the scam. He said that the system is prime accused in the scam.

“While many prestigious exams like JEE, civil services, Eamcet etc are being held without any malpractices, why cannot PG exam be conducted in that manner,” he questioned.

“Giving a seat to the wrong student is like giving him or her a license to kill innocent people,” he added.

Nageshwar Rao demanded that a high level committee comprising experts and government be constituted to ensure such practices will not surface in the near future.

“Policy rule clearly states that there is clear link between unbridled commercialisation of medical exam and an increase in number of exams. It’s just not in the medical exam. Wherever there is privatisation - like in spectrum allocation, coal mines and common wealth - scams have surfaced. Commercial aspects in the medical education should be completely rooted out with concrete laws in the MCI constitution,” he said.

“The government has to come up with an examinations malpractice prevention law with deterrent punishment for the accused,” Nageshwar Rao added.

Abhilash, member, Junior Doctors Association (JUDA), said that seats have been on sale for the past many years. “We were surprised by the highest marks secured by candidates. We suspected foul play in the exam and in results. Within two-days, we managed to get the information about the rankers and presented to principal secretary and later approached with grievances LV Reddy, Chairman of Higher Education council and he considered the issue,” said Dr Abhilash.

JUDA lauded the Governor for taking timely action on the issue.

“In the preliminary report by CID, it was said that minimum of Rs 70 cr was unearthed with involvement of 25 members and 12 were arrested. We suspect the involvement of 80-100 people in the scam,” said Abhilash.

“All accused must be arrested including officials of NTR Health University,” he added.

The students welcomed the move by the Governor for the re-examination and wanted further probe into the exam. “We don’t want NTR Health University to conduct the examination unless and until the people involved in it are arrested. Further enquiry should be done by the central investigation agency like CBI as CID may have pressure from government as it comes under state government ambit,” Abhilash said. Dr Ramesh Reddy, member, Medical Council of India (MCI), said that NTR Health University is a hub for scams. The ongoing probe is going at snail pace and only a few people were arrested.

MCI member Putta Srinivas Rao praised JUDA members for their efforts.

“I am the sole bread winner in my family. No one believes that an MBBS graduate like me earns Rs 8,000 per month. Last year I left my job, studied hard for the exam and cleared it. If people get involved in the scams how would I get the seat?” asked Raj Kumar. “PG degree would fetch me about Rs 30,000 per month,” he added.