The first day of the MBBS/BDS counselling was marred by some controversy with five students in the Physically Handicapped category complaining of discrimination in the finalisation of candidates called for counselling by the Selection Committee. However, four of the five students were allotted seats in different colleges across the state.

A physically challenged student during medical counselling

Chennai:

Vinod Kumar of Madurai, who had taken a year off after completing his Class 12 exams last year, had prepared for the medical exams, but was disappointed when his name did not feature in the final list though it was there in the merit list recently issued by the government. 

“I had got 219 marks in my National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and was listed in the merit list. When I checked the final list, my name was not there,” he had said before the counselling began.

However, following an enquiry by a committee, he was considered eligible, and was allotted a seat in the Thanjavur Medical College.

Another student R Dhanalakshmi, who had secured 263 marks in the NEET, also suffered a similar plight. “It was extremely shocking as I had got my disability certificates attested as well,” she said. She was allotted a seat in the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital here.

While two other students too suffered the same plight and were allotted seats, Hari Shankar was not allotted any seat as he did not qualify under the Physically Handicapped category, according to the Selection Committee.