4 medical seats of Arunachal Pradesh withdrawn, Meghalaya seats increased from 26 to 42

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ITANAGAR/SHILLONG, August 26: Four central quota medical seats including three sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC) of Arunachal Pradesh have been withdrawn after allotment to qualified students.

This eastern most state of India last year had received 28 medical seats including three sponsored by the NEC, according to official records and conformed by state's health services director Dr Moji Jini.

These seats were withdrawn despite state's Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Commissioner Kailng Tayeng in a representation on August 11 last had informed the Union Health Secretary about allocation of central medical seats enclosing the list and urged him to increase both medical and dental seats.

He also requested to retain the number of seats allotted last year if not increased. Any reduction of seat will jeopardise the careers of candidates who have been selected on merit.

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Health services Joint Director Dr R Doye, when contacted, informed that the withdrawal letter came on August 21 last as a bolt from the blue.

Interestingly, number of central medical seats to Meghalaya has been increased to 42 against 26 last year though the state boasts of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute Health and Medical Science which offers nine MBBS seats as state quota. Moreover, Mizoram medical quota has been reduced to 17 from 25-27, as reported in Assam Tribune on 22.08.17.

State Chief Minister Pema Khandu also wrote a letter on August 21 to drawn attention of Union Health Minister J P Nadda towards withdrawal of four seats while Meghalaya quota has been increased from 26 to 42 seats. He had sought immediate intervention to allot five additional seats.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who represents Arunachal West parliamentary constituency, expressed shock and his ignorance when his attention was drawn by this editor. He said that the state Govt has neither informed him about this matter nor drawn his attention. However, he assured to act on receipt of official information.

(Agencies)

Featured image(courtesy): The Indian Express