FMGs allege stalling of PRs despite HC order

They claim APMC has ignored explicit court orders to issue registrations, seeking extensions citing 'lack of clarity'

- K KALYAN KRISHNA KUMAR

FOREIGN Medical Graduates (FMGs) in Andhra Pradesh have accused an officer in the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) of deliberately stalling their permanent registrations (PRs) for over 14 months, despite a High Court ruling in their favour.

Of the 1,500 FMGs in the State, about 500 who have completed internships claim that they fall under the 2002 guidelines, not the National Medical Commission's (NMC) 2021 regulations, which apply only to students enrolled after November 18, 2021. They allege the APMC is wrongly applying the 2021 rules, even though NMC regulations and a June 19, 2024, notice make no distinction for Andhra Pradesh students.

The FMGs raised concerns after the NMC, in response to the State government's appeal, clarified that FMGs must compensate for online study through extended offline courses. The NMC said complying with the AP High Court order would arbitrarily relax norms and advised the State to file a review petition on August 7. The AP High Court has issued two verdicts on FMG internships, and the APMC has filed a review petition.