Medical reservation row: "NEET MDS 2021 prospectus exclude proposed OBC seats", says AIOBC Federation

NEET MDS prospectus 2021 excludes mention of implementing state reservation policy as instructed by the Madras High Court. Earlier this year, political parties and All India Federation of OBC filed a plea in Madras Court demanding implementation of OBC reservations following state reservation policy which would grant 50 per cent reservation for OBCs in the state. According to the latest NEET prospectus, only 27 per cent OBC reservations shall be implemented in Central government institutions. There is no mention of OBC reservations in the AIQ medical seats surrendered by the state.

As per the instructions of the Madras High Court, the central government constituted a committee to study the issue which hasn't filed a response yet. "Three months was allotted by Madras High Court to the central government which is already over on 27 October. The decision should have been taken by the government by then," says AIOBC. The Federation alleges that the Health Ministry has ignored the court orders, contempt petition and directions from National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

Speaking with Madhyamam, Karunanidhy G, General Secretary of AIOBC Federation said, "It is already late. We have sent letters and emails to health ministry regarding the reservation issue. The denial of OBC reservation is continuing. Government has released the prospectus for NEET examination and there is no change for OBC seats. It shows that they are ignoring the Court decision. NCBC has given direction to government that government has to implement the proposed reservation seats but nothing has happened."

"We can see in the 50th page of the prospectus that there is 27 per cent of reservation only for Central government institutions. In court, a case has been filed that for Tamil Nadu it should be 50 per cent because here the OBC reservation is 50 per cent. The government agreed in the Parliament that they have been suggesting for a State-wise reservation policy; whichever state give the seats for backward castes accordingly Ministry also will give. Court also ordered the government to finalize the percentage and till now they are ignoring the demand and court order," he added.

Contempt of Court notice has been issued by DMK to the Union Health Ministry and National Medical Commission for failing to implement the judicial order of Madras High Court. NCBC, in a hearing held on October 10 based on the complaint made by AIOBC against Union Health Ministry, directed the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to implement reservation for OBC from the next academic session of 2021.

"Central government said that there is not enough time to change the reservation criteria and there are constraints this year and it will be considered from next year. There is no change in 2021 prospectus also. If this ignorance continues, we will inform the parliamentary committee and NCBC about this silence of Ministry. State reservation policy should be applied here. The government supported the demand in Parliament. Why can't they make decisions accordingly?" Karunanidhy questioned.

According to Tamil Nadu reservation criteria, within the state, there is 69 per cent reservation for medical seats. 30 per cent of the seats will be given to Backward classes and within that 3.5 per cent for OBC Muslims, 20 per cent for most backward castes. 18 per cent seats are reserved for scheduled castes and 1 per cent for Scheduled Tribes. The judgement of Madras High Court on July 27 ordered that State-specific reservation does not deny reservation to OBCs against All India Quota seats.