Consider college plea to increase intake: SC to MCI

CHENNAI: A medical college enjoying central recognition would need only permission to increase intake, said the Supreme Court, setting aside the decision of the Medical Council of India (MCI) which had rejected the application of a city-based medical college to increase its student intake.The MCI decision not to consider the application of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital was “surprising, if not shocking,” a bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Anil R Dave said. It then directed the MCI to consider afresh the college’s application and pass orders within two weeks.The institution had submitted an application to the MCI to increase number of seats from 150 to 250 on September 25, 2013. As it was not considered, the college moved the Madras high court.In April 2014, the high court directed the Union government to consider the application and pass orders before June 2014. After its appeal was dismissed, MCI approached SC, which asked the authorities to consider increasing seats. It also directed MCI to conduct an inspection to find out whether the college had necessary facilities for increasing capacity. The inspection report submitted in November 2014 said the college fulfilled the requirements. Despite this, the MCI did not consider the application.The college then moved the Supreme Court. A bench of justices Kurian Joseph and Anil R Dave said according to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, only permission was required from the Centre for increasing intake. Underlining that recognition and permission were two different concepts, the bench said while recognition was mandated for the course and the institution; permission was required for increasing the admission capacity.