Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 06:
Health Minister L Nandakumar and MPP MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang rocked the Assembly today with a heated debate over the question of including a candidate selected from the meritorious sportsperson category in the general category in this year's MBBS/BDS entrance examination.
Earlier raising a No-Day-Yet Named Motion in the House, MPP president O Joy questioned whether the 340 marks scored by the meritorious sportspersons and later included in the general category, was the mark solely scored in the entrance test or included the grace marks allotted to meritorious sportspersons.
Joy said that if the meritorious sportsperson, A Rabeshwari, is to be selected in the general category then the marks scored by her should not include the grace marks allotted to sportspersons.
If she had made it to the general list by the marks scored by her in the entrance examination, then the person next in the list of meritorious sportspersons should be selected under the sports category, he added.
Since there is no consensus on the issue with both the Opposition and the Treasury sticking to their stand, it would be better to hire a lawyer without any biases to check the legality of the selection procedure, suggested Joy.
Joining in the discussion, MPP MLA Dr Nimaichand Luwang questioned whether the entrance exam was conducted in the true sense of the term and suggested that if anything is wrong a fresh examination be held.
With Nimaichand Luwang accusing the Government and the Minister concerned of not maintaining transparency, the Minister produced documents through the Speaker.
The Opposition MLA further said that there is no Constitutional provision for reservation of meritorious sportspersons and reminded the House that when the result was first announced Rabeshwari's mark was shown as 336.He questioned whether the later score of 340 included the grace marks allotted to sportsperson.
Replying to the volley of questions, Health Minister Nandakumar said that Rabeshwari secured 80 in Physics, 84 in Chemistry and 172 in Biology.
The Minister however did not spell out whether the final total of 340 included the grace marks given to sportspersons.
At this Dr Luwang said that when the result was first announced on May 30, the total of Rabeshwari was shown as 336 but this increased to 340 when a second list was announced on June 6.Where did the extra four marks come from, he questioned.
Thereafter the Health Minister and Dr Luwang engaged in a fierce debate with both using their lung powers to the optimum level.