PG seats affiliation row: Gujarat HC directs medical college to deposit Rs 12 lakh with university
Gujarat High Court
Ahmedabad: To avoid disruption in postgraduate admission, the Gujarat High Court has ordered Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences to deposit Rs 12 lakh with Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University, while asking the varsity to cooperate in completing affiliation formalities for additional PG seats.
Single Bench Justice Nirzar Desai observed that although the university has demanded around Rs 34 lakh towards affiliation fees, penalties, and GST, "the interest of justice would be served" if the petitioner college deposits Rs 12 lakh at this stage.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by the medical college, which said it was racing against time to submit affiliation certificates needed for increasing postgraduate seats. The college told the court that the university had not signed the necessary forms, which could result in loss of additional seats. It argued that this would ultimately affect students and society at large.
As per a latest TOI report, the university had asked for Rs 1.65 lakh affiliation fees for each of the 21 courses that the medical college offers. However, the college raised a dispute over the penalty amount by citing the newly introduced Gujarat Public Universities Act, which provides for one consolidated penalty and interest.
During the hearing, the college's counsel submitted that since the college is running against time with a deadline to submit the affiliation certificates by April 20, it is ready to deposit Rs 12 lakh with the HC registry towards a consolidated amount of penalty and late fee demanded by the university to show its bona fide.
In response, the university assured the court that it has no objection to signing the affiliation certificates. However, it insisted that the Rs 12 lakh be deposited directly with the university.
Taking note of these assurances, the bench held, "In view of the above submissions, as well as considering the fact that the total amount demanded by the respondent University in respect of each course comes to around Rs 34 lakh, the interest of justice would be served if the petitioner is directed to deposit an amount of Rs 12 lakh with the respondent University by April 23."
The HC also directed the university to "cooperate and countersign whatever forms are required for an increase in courses in the petitioner college. Such formality is directed to be completed by the evening of April 18."
The matter will be heard next on June 25.
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