Govt, Comedk ease PGET rules

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Bengaluru: Following requests from candidates, the state government and the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) have decided to relax norms over surrendering Post Graduate (PG) seats after the delay in the all-India PGET counseling. 
 
Earlier, students were supposed to pay upto `1 lakh and the entire course fee while surrendering their seats to get back original documents submitted during PG seat selection counseling. Original documents are mandatory to attend all India PGET counseling sessions.
 
This stringent fine clause was introduced last year by then medical education minister Mr. S A Ramadas. following the allegation that many top ranking candidates in various medical admission tests use the RGUHS counseling process to block government quota seats at private colleges. 
 
Speaking Deccan Chronicle, Dr. Prem Kumar, Registrar, RGUHS, said the government has directed them to return the original documents if any candidate desires to attend the All India PGET counseling which will continue up to June 22. “Government has directed us to ensure that candidates are taking part in the All India PGET counseling process," he said. "We will issue an order soon,” he added.
 
According to the medical education department officials, PGET candidates will be given time up to June 30 to confirm their seats. "We will not impose any fine for all those who seek documents up to the last day to confirm seats under the all-India quota. Those candidates will not be imposed any fine," said an officer.
 
According to the COMEDK chief executive Mr. A S Shrikanth, the consortium will not charge any fine from the candidates at the time the seat selection process if candidates the seat is surrendered before the second round of counseling. “If any student wants to opt for other seats this, we will refund the whole amount,” he said. "This rule will not be applicable to those who have already joined a college," he added.
 
PGET candidates had earlier opposed the state government's fine clause included under PGET rules, saying it went against their right to select the seat of their choice. Speaking to this newspaper, a candidate who has secured the highest ranking both at PGET as well as NEET -PG said the all India PGET counseling will end only by June 30. 
 
“We were confused about what to do. It is our right to select college and stream of our choice. As per the existing clause we supposed to pay upto Rs 1 lakh to get back our originals. But we are happy with the new decision,” he said.