Karnataka: The State government has proposed to introduce NRI quota and increase fees in government medical colleges. This plan has shocked the students as well as the faculty members who are of the view that it would be an obstacle for non-affluent, meritorious students who want to pursue a career in the field of medicine.

According to a professor of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), introduction of NRI quota would have a negative impact on meritorious students as there would be a marked reduction in the number of government seats. Currently, NRI quota seats cost around ₹22 - 42 lakh in private medical colleges.

Similar concern was expressed by Gautham Balaji, a member of Indian Medical Association (Junior Doctors’ Association), Karnataka branch. He said that introducing NRI quota in government colleges was not acceptable, especially when the institutional quota seats were available for students from across the country with the introduction of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test. On the other hand, he supports the hike in fees due to the increase in stipends. Moreover, he stated that increasing fees may facilitate improvement in the infrastructure of colleges and their hostels.

The reviews of a medical seat aspirant were also not in favor of this proposal as he said that the government cannot think like a commercial institution. He also mentioned that there are already excess NRI and management quota seats in the State in private colleges. Of these, over two-third go vacant due to affordability issues. Then, why should it be introduced in government colleges?