Kochi: Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the state’s view on a plea seeking the government to direct the self-financing medical colleges that are yet to sign the seat-sharing agreement with the government.
Anju M. Varghese of Thiruvananthapuram argued that the delay in entering into such agreement has denied candidates a chance to get admission for MBBS.
The delay in finalisation of the agreement would affect the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
The classes are scheduled to commence on September 1, 2015, but still no steps have been taken for seat allotments.
The petitioner sought a directive to the state not to start MBBS classes without filling all merit seats based on a transparent selection process after the publication of the rank list.
The petitioner cited Ker-ala Professional Colleges or Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee, Regulation of Admission, Fixation of Non-Exploitative Fee and other Measures to Ensure Equity and Excellence in Professional Education) Act, 2006.
HC seeks reply on felling of trees
The Kerala High Court has sought the state government’s stand on the indiscriminate felling of trees in public places as per the recent circular issued by public works department (PWD) secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Haneesh.
Kerala Trees and Environment Protection Samithi moved the court seeking to quash the circular issued on December 1, 2014.
The petitioner said the circular was against the existing statutory regulations, notifications and orders in the preservation of trees in public places.
It also violates the regulatory measures adopted for felling trees as and when it is required for emergency situations and also for various developmental activities.
The petitioner submitted that an established procedure was prescribed for the purpose of taking a decision on felling of trees grown on the lands at the disposal of the government.
The procedure adopted was that “the authority in charge of the land at the disposal of government where any tree is required to be cut shall submit a written application to the assistant conservator of forests (Social Forestry) having jurisdiction over the concerned district giving full particulars of the land and the trees proposed to be felled”.
The committee after inspection of the area and the trees recommended for felling shall prepare a report and take a decision on the application submitted by the authority in charge of the land at the disposal of the government.
The petitioner added that as per data collected by invoking RTI Act, it was revealed that none of the departments are following the implementation of the above said decisions.
