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“Fee reimbursement scheme may be altered”

PUDUCHERRY: Health Minister E. Valsaraj said here on Thursday that the Government would consider altering the scheme named after Kamaraj to reimburse tuition fee for medical college students selected through Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC).

He told reporters that the Government would also consider altering the scheme to fix income ceiling so as to ensure that only meritorious students received the benefit.

Terming the continuation of the scheme in its present form as “impractical” owing to increase in the number of medical seats with the starting of the Government Medical College from next year, he said the cut-off marks in Karaikal region was low and it was a matter of concern whether such candidates should be given the privilege.

While the cut-off marks for admissions to students from Puducherry region was 103 (out of 200) for general category, 104 for Most Backward Castes and 101 for Other Backward Castes, it was 72 per cent in general category and 73 per cent for Scheduled Castes belonging to Karaikal, he added.

Funding the scheme in its present form could be difficult with increase in seats, especially after starting of the Government Medical College. The government had to reimburse the fee for all students admitted, he said.

On the allegation related to the death of a patient owing to negligence on the part of medical personnel at the Government General Hospital, Mr. Valsaraj said the hospital provided the best medical care with excellent facilities. Shortcomings could be sorted out through dialogues, he said.

He appealed to the political parties not to politicise such issues.

Director of Health and Family Welfare Dilip Kumar Baliga said the patient died owing to other complications and not because of the kidney ailment as alleged.

A 750-bed Women and Child Hospital would be inaugurated by April next, Mr. Valsaraj said on Wednesday after inspecting the work along with a few legislators.

The Rs. 48-crore project, which began in 2004, was delayed owing to non- availability of funds and alterations to design.

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