GANGTOK: 50 medical seats has been approved by the National Medical Commission for locals at Sikkim Manipal medical college.
Meanwhile, the Sikkim government is said to bear all costs for the entire course.
Students from Sikkim who score the highest in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test will be given these seats for free (NEET). The most recent development brings the total number of reserved seats under the state quota to 80.
Previously, 30 spots were allocated for local students but previously they had to pay for the five-year course
Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang called it as a "big achievement" and also stated that the approval letter has been received and memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Sikkim government and SMIMS.
Added to the statement he mentioned that the government was trying to get more seats for years now and now it will benefit the financially weaker background students as well.
Earlier, parents and guardians had to pay around Rs 16-17 lakh annually, which amounted to around Rs 1 crore by the time their wards completed the MBBS course. Many deserving candidates had to drop out due to the high fees. But now, the state government will sponsor the education of the 50 selected students," he said. Admission to the 50 seats will begin this semester. Sikkim is currently having 1 private medical college.
Recently the Assam Government also announced two MBBS seats for Bhutan students, in the state from the current year by stating "We stand committed to upholding the bonhomie between Assam and Bhutan. We discussed several issues of mutual interest and promised to carry forward our long-cherished bilateral relationship'.
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