Madras HC directs Centre to act on MCI recommendations in a week

The Madras High Court has directed the Centre to act on the recommendations made by the MCI on accommodating 144 students of a now-defunct private medical college in any other state-run institute within a week.

Taking serious view of the future of medical students, Justice N Kirubakaran gave the direction on Wednesday while passing interim orders on a batch of pleas from more than 100 affected second year students.

The court had earlier in December last year directed the state government to send a proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI) to accommodate the students of the Annai Medical College and Hospital Pennalur, Sriperumbudur, in other government medical colleges.

As there was no progress in the matter, the affected students moved the court again with the present pleas.

Their counsel H Rajasekar contended that the inordinate delay on the part of the authorities concerned was causing serious hardship to the students.

The judge then observed that every day is an important day for medical students as each day gives a new clinical experience for them to be used for society in future.

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He asked the Centre's standing counsel B Rabu Manohar about the status.

Manohar submitted that the MCI recommendations had been received by the ministry concerned.

"They are under process and the approval of the competent authority will be given within 15 days," he submitted.

As it was already delayed, the judge declined to grant 15 days.

"In spite of this courts orders and the approval by the appropriate authorities in due course, seeking 15 days time will be too long.

"..taking into consideration the interest of the students, it is appropriate to direct the central government to pass the orders on the recommendations of the MCI within a week," justice Kirubakaran said.

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The judge then posted the matter for reporting compliance on February 22.