Medical seats cannot remain vacant': SC directs govt to fix it

The Supreme Court on Friday said that seats in medical courses cannot remain vacant and asked the Centre to hold a meeting with all the stakeholders, including the states, and consider the recommendations of a committee appointed over the issue.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

THE Supreme Court on Friday said that seats in medical courses cannot remain vacant and asked the Centre to hold a meeting with all the stakeholders, including the states, and consider the recommendations of a committee appointed over the issue. A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan was hearing the matter when it observed, "Seats also cannot go vacant."

In April, 2023, the apex court flagged the issue of super specialty seats in medical courses remaining unfilled. The Centre had then proposed to appoint a committee, consisting of all the stakeholders including representatives of states and private medical colleges, under the chairmanship of director general of health services to resolve the issue.

On Friday, the Centre said the committee comprising the stakeholders was constituted and it had given its recommendations on the issue. "It would be appropriate if the Centre held a meeting with the stakeholders and came out with a concrete proposal," its counsel said.

The bench therefore directed for the meeting to be held by the Centre. The apex court said the needful be done within three months and posted the matter in April.