BAMS students' admissions being withheld

MUMBAI: Students enrolling for the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course in medical colleges are in a fix as the colleges that were allotted to them are now stating “choice not available”.

On Thursday, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) displayed the fifth selection list for the BAMS admissions, where, adjacent to the students’ names, a particular message had been put up which basically meant that their admissions were being cancelled by the DMER. “The admissions were confirmed when the third list was put out and as per the schedule, from Septe-mber 1 to 10, it was reporting time and retention for-m filling which means wit-hin this period, students had to confirm their seats. Thereafter, there would be no up-gradation by the DMER,” said a parent.

“However, within the stipulated time period, another list was declared (fifth selection list) which said that the taken admissions had been cancelled or were ‘not available’,” she said.

A student asked, “Today is September 7 and tomorrow is Saturday and the day after is Sunday, so we can’t do anything. On September 10, it is Monday but that is the last day for us to fill the retention form to confirm the seat. However, if we don’t have the college’s name, how are we supposed to confirm it?”

The Asian Age tried contacting Dr Pravin Shing-are, director of DMER, but he did not respond to any of the calls. However, sources close to DMER said that the admissions had not been cancelled but were being withheld. “Before taking any decision, students should send a mail to the CET cell. Instead of cancelling the seat, they should see if they have got any other college. If not, send a mail to DMER or lodge complaint,” said a source.