Tura, Sept 15: The Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Central Executive Committee, has raised serious concerns over the recent medical college seat allotment process, alleging that several students from Garo Hills who secured higher marks and better merit positions have been denied colleges according to their stated preferences.
In a representation submitted to the Director of Health Services (Medical Education & Research), Shillong, on Tuesday, the GSU said it had received complaints from students and parents regarding the manner in which seats were allotted.
According to the Union, some higher-scoring students were reportedly allotted colleges placed among their lower or last preferences, while candidates with comparatively lower marks were allegedly allotted colleges that were higher in the preference lists of the affected students.
The development has reportedly caused considerable concern among students and parents in Garo Hills, with many seeking clarity on how the allotment was carried out and whether merit, category, reservation provisions and preference choices were properly taken into account.
The GSU has also pointed to concerns allegedly raised during the previous year’s medical admission process, including issues surrounding the migration of deserving high-scoring candidates into the Open Category.
The Union further claimed that assurances had previously been given that student representatives would be involved in the process and that a transparent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be prepared and shared with stakeholders.
However, the GSU alleged that the promised SOP or detailed procedure governing the allotment has not been made available to the concerned students and representatives.
Seeking greater transparency, the Union has urged the Directorate to conduct a thorough review of the allotment list, particularly the cases of students from Garo Hills who have raised grievances.
It has also sought a clear explanation of the methodology used for seat allocation and clarification on how merit, category, reservation rules and the order of preferences were applied.
The GSU has requested that any errors, discrepancies or irregularities identified during the review be rectified and has called for an urgent meeting between the Directorate, Union representatives and the affected students.
Importantly, the Union said its intervention should not be construed as a demand for preferential treatment for students from Garo Hills.
The GSU maintained that its demand is for a fair, transparent, merit-based and rule-bound admission process, with all eligible students treated equally and their legitimate preferences considered in accordance with the applicable rules.
The Union has also urged the authorities to extend the deadline for final redressal, stating that the short notice provided may not give affected students sufficient time to submit their grievances or allow authorities adequate time to examine the complaints properly.
With medical college allotment having a significant bearing on the academic and professional future of aspiring doctors, the GSU has urged the authorities to take immediate cognisance of the matter and address the concerns before the admission process reaches its final stage.
The Union has sought an early response from the Directorate and an opportunity to meet the concerned authority to discuss the grievances in detail. The allegations raised by the GSU have not yet been independently verified. A response from the Directorate of Health Services (Medical Education & Research) is awaited.
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