PANJIM: The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj (GBS) has urged the government to withdraw the circular demanding bank guarantee from students seeking admission to courses in Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) and Goa Dental College (GDC) with immediate effect.
GBS President Ashok Naik said that such an order would impact students belonging to SC, ST, OBC and economically weaker class, by depriving them of the opportunity of higher education.
“The students belonging OBC/ST/ST/economically weaker sections in Goa should not be deprived of the opportunity of higher education by compelling their parents (economically weaker sections) to give bank guarantee at the time of their admissions to the medical and dental courses. The proposed unjust condition of bank guarantee should be immediately withdrawn in the interest of the weaker sections of the society in Goa,” the three-page petition, a copy of which was also submitted to Minister for Health Vishwajit Rane and Social Welfare Minister Milind Naik, said.
As per the new guidelines, for post-graduate degree and diploma course, the surety amount will be Rs 50 lakh and for undergraduate course the surety amount will be Rs 10 lakh. Also, in case of new aspirants for medical education and wishing to pursue undergraduate course at the GMC or GDC, the student will have to furnish Rs 5 lakh bank guarantee while seeking admission.
Various political parties and youth wings have requested the government to withdraw the circular.
In a video message released on Monday night, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that paying of bond at the time of admission will not be compulsory for Goan students and that government is already in the process of finding a solution to help parents to furnish the bond.
“No Goan student would be denied admission because he is not able to furnish the bond. We are working out various options to help parents fulfill the criteria,” he said but declined rolling back the circular claiming that neighbouring States charge huge amount for the same courses compared to Goa.
He said that the bond is asked to be furnished to ensure that the students don’t leave the education midway and also goes through compulsory posting in rural areas once s/he completes the degree.
