Snehal Upadhyay –
Published on August 11, 2021 at 14:10 IST
The Supreme Court disposed of the petition filed by a group of BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Students regarding the announcement of the dates for NEET-MDS 2021 counselling by the Union Ministry.
After repeated reminders given by the Court to the Government, it had finally filed an affidavit yesterday.
The Union of India through the filed affidavit has informed that it has decided to start the counselling for NEET MDS 2021 from 20th August 2021 and conclude it by 10th October 2021′
The Division Bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah quashed the petition filed by the students by stating that their grievances have been addressed.
The Court ordered the Union Government and the Medical Counselling Committee to comply with the dates announced so that the admission process is duly completed within the timeframe.
Earlier, the Court remarked that if there would be a delay in conducting counselling for the students then it would adversely affect the student’s future, it might lead to some serious repercussions on students who have been waiting after the test results were announced on December 31, 2020.
Through its counter affidavit in the present matter, the Ministry of Health solicited the Apex Court to permit them to conduct NEET MDS Counselling in Virtual mode within 4 Weeks with the existing policy of reservation.
The Ministry further stated that they never intended to delay in conducting student’s counselling but due to confusion on Madras High Court’s judgement on the issue of OBC reservation in All India Quota Seats contributed by State medical colleges under AIQ Scheme the counselling got delayed.
In the present case, the petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh and Advocate-on-Record Dr Charu Mathur.
The petitioner claimed for having separate counselling for the NEET-MDS 2021 in order to not wait for NEET-PG counselling for commencement of NEET-MDS 2021 counselling.
Also Read: Delhi HC orders Centre & NBE to consider objections made in NEET PG date extension Plea