WB to abide by SC order on NRI admissions Tuesday, December 14 2004 18:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time
Kolkata:
The West Bengal Government will abide by the Supreme Court order 'word-for-word' cancelling admission of some NRI (Non-Residential Indians) candidates in medical colleges run by the State in excess of the sanctioned strength.
Chief Secretary Ashok Gupta, who returned to Kolkata from Delhi, told reporters, ''we will follow the apex Court order word for word.''
Health Minister Suryakanta Mishra, however said the Government had not 'done anything wrong' in the admission of NRI candidates in State-run medical colleges.
''The court directed that successful candidates will only be admitted and we followed it, but the court does not agree with our interpretation of successful candidates,'' the Health Minister said referring to the admission of successful NRI candidates.
To a question, he said that the State Government would refund the fees of the NRI candidates.
According to the Health Minister, of the 99 NRI candidates admitted in State-run medical colleges, admission of 69 will have to be cancelled.
Stating that the State Government was against capitation fees, Mishra said, ''We have taken only enhanced tuition fees which is a minimum in West Bengal compared to other States."