FORDA is opposing the delay in NEET-PG counselling. It emphasized that revision of OBC and EWS reservation criteria at such end of the process would certainly lead to further delay in the commencement of NEET PG counseling and subsequent final selection.
The top court will take up the matter later in the day.
In a petition filed through advocate Archana Pathak Dave, FORDA said the application is being filed to put forward the grievances of resident doctors and doctors working to strengthen India’s health system.
The petition states that the applicant is seeking indulgence from the apex court with regard to the commencement of counseling of NEET PG examination, which has been stayed for more than a year and allows first year postgraduate doctors (junior resident doctors) has been included. ) to fill the void created in the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
“It would be necessary to bring to the notice of this Hon’ble Court that postgraduate doctors (hereinafter referred to as ace junior residents) occupy an essential place in the health system of the country and their timely incorporation is crucial for ensuring its smooth functioning” , stated in the petition.
It further said, “that every year an estimated 45,000 candidates are inducted as postgraduate doctors through NEET PG examination. However, in the year 2021, the said process of induction of postgraduate doctors into the medical workforce has been postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. was interrupted due to the -19 pandemic and consequent delay in conducting the NEET PG exam”.
The applicant stated that due to non-initiation of counseling process, no first year postgraduate doctors/junior residents have been included till date, resulting in shortfall in the number of doctors and staffing at such times in hospitals/medical colleges. There is a shortage, just as important. A worldwide pandemic.
“Applicants’ Association humbly submits the revision of the reservation scheme at the present stage i.e. end of the entire process of NEET PG examination may result in further delay in NEET PG counseling and may adversely affect the students, health care institution, as well as the entire process of NEET PG examination. The nation at large”, added the petition.
The Center has accepted the report of a three-member panel set up to revisit the EWS criteria. The panel in its report said: “First, the EWS criteria pertain to the financial year preceding the year of application, while the income criteria for creamy layer in the OBC category is applicable to the gross annual income for three consecutive years.”
The panel said, “Secondly, in the case of fixing OBC creamy layer, salary, income from agriculture and traditional artisan occupations are excluded from consideration, whereas for EWS all including farming in the criterion of Rs 8 lakh. Therefore, despite having the same cut-off number, their composition is different and, therefore, the two cannot be equated”.
The top court is hearing writ petitions challenging 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10 per cent reservation for EWS in all India quota seats for postgraduate medical courses. Of the candidates selected through NEET, 15 percent seats in MBBS and 50 percent seats in MS and MD courses are filled through All India Quota.
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