[NEET PG case] CJI NV Ramana moots constituting Special Bench after SG Tushar Mehta asks for early hearing

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana today indicated that he would constitute a Special Bench to hear the case relating to admissions to NEET postgraduate courses [Neil Aurelio Nunes v. Union of India],

. During a mentioning today of the case today, he said,

"I have to constitute a Special Bench. Let me see tomorrow. This entire week is a miscellaneous week..."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that the matter needs to be considered on priority since resident doctors are protesting.

" Even if it can be listed before a two-judge bench instead of three judge but headed by Justice DY Chandrachud. Resident doctors are protesting and their concerns are genuine, " he said.

. On Monday, SG Mehta had mentioned the case before Justice Chandrachud, and sought an early listing citing its 'urgency' . Justice Chandrachud had said that he would speak with CJI Ramana and take a call.

The case was originally slated for hearing on January 6. However, resident doctors have been protesting in Delhi seeking an early hearing, since counselling for NEET PG courses have been put on hold due to the pending matter.

. The Court is hearing petitions challenging the 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) introduced by the Central government in the All-India Quota (AIQ) seats in State government medical institutions.

One of the aspects it is specifically examining is the feasibility of having ₹8 lakh as a cap to avail the EWS quota for PG medical admissions.

. During the hearing of the case on October 25, the Central government had assured the Court that the counselling for PG medical courses will not start till the Court decides the matter.

NEET counselling is usually held in March every year, but was delayed in 2021 due to COVID-19. The NEET-PG entrance examination itself was held only in September 2021, and the counselling has not started yet. The admission of around 50,000 resident doctors are, therefore, on hold.

The doctors have thus taken to the streets, demanding that the counselling be conducted expeditiously.

In an affidavit filed on January 1 , the Centre told the Court that it has decided to stick to the existing criteria of ₹8 lakh annual income limit for determination of EWS reservation with respect to the ongoing admissions to the NEET PG courses.

The Centre informed the top court that an expert committee constituted by the government to reassess the criteria suggested that the existing criteria may be continued for ongoing admissions, while the revised criteria suggested by the committee may be adopted from the next admission cycle.

.NEET PG Counselling: The Supreme Court case that has led to doctors' protests. [Read a live account of the hearing]

[NEET PG case] CJI NV Ramana moots constituting Special Bench after SG Tushar Mehta asks for early hearing

Debayan Roy

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