Thiruvananthapuram: The authorities at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, have allegedly denied MBBS admission to several differently-abled students even after producing government-approved certificates proving their disability.
People having more than 40-percent disability are issued a unique disability identity card (UDID) and according to the Central law, this document is sufficient for admission to any course. But, when differently-abled students appeared for admission at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College with their UDID, they were rejected by the authorities.
In fact, doctors and officials at the Medical College conducted their own medical examination of the disabled students and declared that many of the candidates did not meet the eligibility criteria.
The Medical College authorities also ignored a recent government order which said that UDID is an authorized document to avail all benefits applicable to differently-abled people.
According to the students, the college authorities had also raised a strange argument that admission could be given based only on a Centralized medical examination of their disabilities.
Another allegation is that students who had produced the disability certificate issued by the State Medical Board also were asked to undergo another medical examination. Incidentally, the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities S H Panchapakesan, citing a law of 2016, had written to the Principal Secretary for Higher Education not to subject such candidates for more medical examinations.
“Complaints have been received that eligible candidates were denied seats reserved for the differently-abled. Even though we have recommended measures to change the situation, it is yet to happen. According to the rules, candidates already holding a disability certificate should not be subjected to medical examination again,” said the Commissioner.
The students denied seats this year are yet to decide on legal action. However, some students in a similar position last year had approached the court and gained admission.
This year, a student belonging to Alappuzha who was not given admission submitted a complaint with the State Disability Commissioner. According to the parent of this student, doctors at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College had told them that during the repeat medical examination 40-percent disability could not be ascertained.