Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Supreme Court asks MCI to implement notification on nationwide CET for MBBS

Even as the Centre opposed the Medical Council of India's notification for conducting a nationwide eligibility-cum-entrance test (CET) for the MBBS course from 2011-12, the Supreme Court on Monday said the MCI could take steps as was necessary to implement the notification dated December 21, 2010.


'NO MINISTRY NOD TO CET'

During the last hearing, Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam had informed the court that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had not granted approval to the MCI notification for conducting a CET as wider consultations with the States were required.

It was submitted in the last hearing on behalf of the Centre that on January 3, the Health Ministry had sent a letter to the MCI informing that no previous approval of the Central government was obtained and hence the notifications issued both for undergraduate and postgraduates were invalid.

'The MCI was asked to withdraw the two notifications issued on December 21, 2010 and gazetted on December 27, 2010. However, the MCI had not responded to the Centre's letter and even as the Centre opposed the MCI's move the Bench asked the MCI to take steps to implement the notification.

During the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Raveendran made it clear to the MCI counsel that "if you think you have the power exercise it. If you think you are subservient to the Centre, follow the advice. We don't want to keep this matter pending. If somebody challenges the notification, let them do it."

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