In a major victory for Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court refused to stay its decision allocating 50 per cent super-specialty seats in government medical colleges to NEET-qualified in-service candidates in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The Apex Court’s April 27, 2020 order had directed that the counselling for admission to Super Specialty Medical Courses for the academic year 2020-2021 shall proceed without providing for reservation to in-service doctors.
“We are of the view that no case is made out for continuing the interim protection, which was granted for the academic year 2020-2021 by interim order dated November 27, 2020. Thus, we reject the prayer in that regard. Needless to say, that the state of Tamil Nadu would be at liberty to continue counselling for the academic year. By taking into consideration reservations provided by the state,” said the bench of Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice B.R Gavai
The Court has also clarified that the order is for the limited purpose of considering whether the interim order dated 27th November, 2020 which was granted for the academic year 2020-2021, should also be continued for the academic year 2021-2022 or not. It further clarified that the order was being passed on prima facie considerations.
The Apex Court was hearing a batch of petitions and appeals against the notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu that provided reservation of 50% Super Specialty seats for in service candidates in Government Medical Colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu.
The matter will be listed for further hearing to establish the validity of the notification that provided reservation of 50% Super Specialty seats for in service candidates in Government Medical Colleges in the State of Tamil Nadu.