The Supreme Court on Thursday approved a proposal put forth by the Central government to allow only those candidates to resign who had joined Institutes of National Importance (INIs) post counselling. The top court was hearing a plea by medical candidates challenging restrictions imposed on resignation from National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) seats.
The bench comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Sandeep Mehta stated that the proposal placed was reasonable. It added that the proposal balanced the interests of meritorious students with concern of medical institutions where seats would fall vacant if upgradation is allowed.
The proposal formulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in consultation with AIIMS, Delhi is applicable only for this year. The proposal stipulates that resignation will be permitted only for those joined candidates, who have joined the INI institutes through Counselling conducted by the AIIMS, Delhi.
It further added that the seats which have become vacant by resignation of INI Candidates will be available in the special round which is to be conducted by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). It mentioned that candidates who have joined round 1 or round 2 seats of MCC and not allotted INI seats, will not be allowed to resign from their joined seats. Additionally, the upgradation facility will be available in the special round to all candidates who have joined in round 1 and round 2 of the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
Pronouncing the order, Justice Viswanathan remarked that if penalties as high as Rs 50 lacs are set, good candidates would be driven away. Responding, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre said that the government has suggested for penalties to be done away with.
Subsequently, Justice Gavai said that the government has to balance the same with the interest of private institutions.