PAV urges Govt. to protect opportunities for poor and meritorious students
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu:Bureau Chief
Andhra Pradesh: The (PAV) Prajarogya Vedika Andhra Pradesh State Committee has submitted a formal memorandum to the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Satya Kumar Yadav, demanding the repeal of Government Orders (GO) Ms Nos. 107 and 108, dated July 19, 2023. These orders allocate 50% of seats in the newly established government medical colleges to self-financing students, charging Rs 12 lakh from self-financing students and Rs 20 lakh from NRI category students.
Impact on meritorious students
The Prajarogya Vedika argues that these orders will severely limit access to medical education for deserving students from economically weaker sections. Traditionally, government medical seats have been reserved for students who excel based on merit. The allocation of half the seats to those who can afford to pay higher fees could deny many talented students the opportunity to pursue medical education.
Establishment of new medical colleges
Andhra Pradesh is in the process of establishing 17 new medical colleges, five of which have already started offering classes for the 2023-2024 academic year. The state has benefited from central government funding, with the Union government covering 60% of the project cost for these new colleges. Despite this financial support, the allocation of seats to self-financing and NRI students in Andhra Pradesh stands in contrast to other states, where admissions are still merit-based.
Call for repeal and potential consequences
The Prajarogya Vedika has urged the state government to repeal GO Ms Nos. 107 and 108 in the interest of fairness and equity. The organization warns that if these orders are not repealed, they will exacerbate social inequality, denying underprivileged and deserving students access to medical education. This could lead to widespread dissatisfaction and protests among students and social organizations, along with a potential loss of public trust in the government’s education policies.
The PAV’s State Secretary, G Sreenivasa Rao, has reiterated that ensuring a merit-based admissions process is crucial for maintaining equal opportunities and a robust healthcare system in the state. The memorandum requests immediate action to protect the future of poor and meritorious students in Andhra Pradesh.
