Supreme Court refuses request on medical ordinance
The government's efforts to get a clarification by the SC are seen as a ploy to put pressure on the Governor to give his assent to the bill.
Kochi: The state government’s effort to push through the admissions in Kannur and Karuna medical colleges for the academic year 2016-17 received another setback on Wednesday when the Supreme Court refused to concede its request to clarify its earlier order staying the ordinance brought for the purpose.
Responding to the request by state government consul for a clarification that will enable “the governor to sign the bill,” the court said, “why should we advise you? Why should we clarify?” The court suggested that the government exercise its mind and take a decision. The court was hearing a petition by the Medical Council of India against the Kerala Professional Colleges (Regularisation of Admission in Medical Colleges) ordinance 2017.
The Supreme Court, which stayed the ordinance on April 5, had indicated that the Governor had the option not to sign the bill which was brought to replace the ordinance regularising the admissions which were annulled by the Admission Supervisory Committee. The Governor has since held back the bill. The government’s efforts to get a clarification by the Supreme Court are seen as a ploy to put pressure on the Governor to give his assent to the bill.
The Supreme Court, which was hearing the MCI petition, postponed the case for the third week of July after the college managements and students sought an early hearing.