OCI cardholders eligible to apply for medical, engineering seats, Karnataka govt tells HC
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government clarified before the High Court that all students having Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards can be considered for admission to medical, dental and engineering course in government and private colleges at undergraduate level for 2024-25.
The advocate appearing for the government made the submission before the High Court bench while hearing a petition filed by Abhidyu Gowda Mandya Chandrashekar, who holds an OCI card and is studying in Mandya in Karnataka from the past over 10 years. The student had filed the petition challenging a clause in a January 2024 notification of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) with regard to the Common Entrance Test (CET) this year, which stated that government seat eligibility for OCI/PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) candidates would be in accordance with the directions of the government.
Advocate Ajoy Kumar Patil, who appeared for the petitioner, arguing that the clause was contrary to the law laid down by the High Court and the Supreme Court, pointed out that a Division Bench of the High Court had stated in 2020 that OCI students should be treated on par with Indian citizens, abiding by the then notifications issued by the Union government under the Citizenship Act.
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Patil also said that the Supreme Court had passed a judgement in 2023 had declared that the March 2021 notification of the Union government under the Citizenship Act that all OCI/PIO students were eligible for admission to professional courses in the country under the NRI category operated prospectively. The Court had also clarified that the notification could not be enforced on OCI cardholders born before March 21, 2021, he pointed out.
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Five to six opposition MLAs might cross over to Mahayuti in few months: NCP chief whip Anil Patil
Mumbai, Nov 24: There is unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp and its five to six MLAs might join the ruling Mahayuti in the next few months, claimed NCP chief whip Anil Patil, who has retained his Amalner assembly seat, on Sunday.
The MVA of Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a crushing blow in the Maharashtra assembly polls, winning only 46 of the state's 288 seats. By contrast, the BJP-led ruling coalition, which also has NCP and Shiv Sena as partners, bagged an impressive 230 seats.
“There is tremendous unrest among some NCP (SP), Congress and Sena (UBT) MLAs who have been re-elected. Those having good relations with us have expressed concerns over MVA’s massive defeat,” Patil told Marathi news channel ABP Majha.
If one wants development works in his constituency, it is good to be in power, said the legislator from Ajit Pawar’s party.
“The MVA MLAs feel their future is uncertain. It shouldn’t be a surprise if five to six MLAs cross over to the Mahayuti in the next four months,” he said.
In the results of the Maharashtra polls declared on Saturday, BJP won in 132 constituencies, while its partners Shiv Sena and NCP walked away with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
From the MVA camp, Shiv Sena (UBT) bagged 20 seats followed by Congress’ 16 and 10 by NCP (SP).
