Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to take necessary steps to secure the future of the medical students who have returned from war-torn Ukraine.
In the letter, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief sought the PM’s attention towards the “anxiety among students due to the recent reply in Lok Sabha with reference to the status of the medical students” who have returned from Ukraine.
“In response to a query raised in the Lok Sabha, it has been clarified by the Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare that, No permission has been given by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to transfer or accommodate any foreign medical students in any Indian Medical Institute or University,” Stalin said.
“This has once again brought the uncertain future of the students to the fore,” he highlighted.
Around 2,000 medical students from Ukraine have returned to Tamil Nadu, one of the largest number among all the states of India, Stalin said.
“Given the current situation in Ukraine, it may not be practically possible for these medical students to return to their colleges in Ukraine,” Stalin said.
He requested the prime minister to direct the NMC and the union ministries concerned to initiate steps to bring in necessary amendments in the relevant Central Acts, to enable these students to continue their studies in medical colleges in India.
“If this solution is deemed difficult, then necessary steps need to be immediately initiated to provide these students with an alternative option to continue their studies in foreign universities, with similar regulations and academic ambience,” Stalin added, and assured full cooperation from the Tamil Nadu government.
Notably, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar on Friday informed Lok Sabha that no permission has been granted by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to transfer or accommodate any foreign medical students in any Indian medical institute or university.
