Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Arunraj has alleged that the DMK is responsible for a situation that could lead to the loss of more than 600 MBBS seats. He said the move stems from certain medical colleges being upgraded as deemed universities.
In an interview, the minister said Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and Srinivasan College have obtained deemed university status, and claimed both are linked to DMK MLA Kathiravan. He alleged the institutions applied directly to the University Grants Commission (UGC) without obtaining a “no-objection certificate” (NOC) from the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.
Arunraj said such changes could affect seats under the state government quota, reduce the 7.5% reservation for government school students, and push fees up to several lakhs of rupees. He explained that affiliated colleges under the Dr MGR Medical University are expected to seek an NOC, and if the university does not decide within 60 days, it is treated as deemed approval.
Citing earlier instances, he referred to St Peter’s Medical College in Hosur and Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College, saying delays and subsequent actions on NOCs led to court cases and eventual deemed university status. He also claimed two more colleges have applied for deemed status and that no action was taken on their NOCs during the DMK government.
The minister said the state government is considering legal action in court and is also reviewing possible changes to rules such as the 60-day NOC window. He added that Tamil Nadu would urge the Union government to ensure no college is granted deemed university status without state approval and an NOC.
