Shillong,Oct 29: The state received applications of 350 candidates for admission in the PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital of the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM).
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh defended the fee structure of Rs 4,95,000 per year per student under the state quota. Out of the total 150 seats, 64 were allotted to Meghalaya, 63 for management and 23 for NRIs.
Those who applied include unreserved (9), Khasi-Jaintia (60), Garo (21) SC/OST(2), NRI (25) and management quota 233.
The documents of applications will require verification for final acceptance.
The state reservation policy and domicile policy will apply to the state quota seats of 64 numbers in the ratio of 40:40:5:15.
According to the notice issued by the health & family welfare department, the online mop-up and stray vacancy round for Meghalaya State NEET UG 2024 counselling for the PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital, Baridua, covering the state quota, management quota, and NRI quota had commenced on October 28, at 4 pm and continued until 5 pm of October 29.
Shillong-Tura medical colleges
To questions on Shillong-Tura medical colleges, Ampareen said, “We are already committed that the Shillong Medical College and Tura Medical College are in an advanced stage of operation… We hope to meet the target of 2025-26 and 2026-27 respectively”.
On the questions on exorbitant tuition fees charged by the private medical college for the state quota, which is fixed at Rs 4,95,000 per year (Rs 24,75,000 for entire course), Lyngdoh said that the fees have been agreed upon during a joint meeting held recently.
“In the case of the USTM, the amount of fees was agreed upon in a joint meeting of all concerned with the USTM. So in a private medical college, these norms are permissible. It’s allowed. So they do get into this and the national medical council (NMC) monitors all of that and it gives its approval”, she said.
She also said the chief minister is aware of the situation. “He is now going to be sitting once he is convenient with time, he will take a look at this and then we will decide whether any further assistance should be given for these students availing these seats,” the minister said.