MBBS counselling alleged SC-reserved seats were taken by not from the category

CHANDIGARH: The first MBBS counselling at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, on Saturday, left about 15 parents furious as they alleged that SC-reserved seats were taken by those not from the category. About 15 parents had assembled near GMCH director principal’s office and submitted a letter to inquire into credentials of certificates submitted by all 101 SC candidates. A student placed 14 in the serial order of the SC reserved list, Ajay, said, “We have come across names like Kritika Bhardwaj, serial number 4; Priyanka Dhiman, serial number 10; and going by surnames, it doesn’t seem they belong to the SC category.”

As per parents, the merit list has been displayed online and there are 21 such candidates who have surnames from castes outside the reserved category. There are 14 seats in MBBS for SC category while 101 candidates appeared under the reserved category. For MBBS general category, the cut-off was until rank 68 which was almost similar as last year. When GMCH director principal Dr Atul Sachdev was contacted about the allegations made by reserved category parents, he said, “All candidates who have been selected during the counselling had submitted certificates attested by the magistrate. How can this be not approved? Also, anyone can use surnames they prefer irrespective of the caste.”

BDS counselling for 11 seats under SC category will start from Monday. Concerned about losing a seat even in BDS, a parent said, “Every rank is crucial for our children. Those who are on first order of the waiting list and have been denied the seat due to false certificates will lose their chance. We have written to the principal to initiate an inquiry.” All 100 MBBS seats under all categories have been filled.

TNN