Govt mulls law to ensure MBBS scholarship for financially poor students

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is preparing legislation to continue the scholarship scheme provided to the poor in self-financing colleges using the additional fee collected from students getting admission in NRI medical seats. The law will provide a scholarship that combines the additional share with the government share.

The Law Department will prepare the draft of the law on the recommendation of the Health Department. Both the departments have started discussions. The law will be finalized after discussions at various levels. With the scholarship being cancelled by the High Court and the Supreme Court, 'Kerala Kaumudi earlier brought up the issue and addressed the need for immediate legislation.

The children of the poorest and daily wage earners were beneficiaries of the scholarship. They are pursuing MBBS studies in self-financing medical colleges with fees ranging from Rs 7.71 lakh to Rs 8.87 lakh on the assurance of government scholarships. With the court order, the colleges are forcing them to pay the fees. There are also threats to stop the students from appearing for exams unless they clear the fee dues.

An ordinance can be issued to continue the scholarship. It can then be introduced in the Legislative Assembly and made into a law. According to the stated condition, beneficiaries of the scholarship must serve in government medical colleges for two years after their studies.

The NRI fee is 20 lakhs. Out of this, five lakhs are being transferred for scholarships. Providing scholarships to others by charging higher fees from one category falls under the ambit of cross-subsidy. The high court pointed out this to cancel the existing scholarship scheme.