Med college issue: No re-look says CM; 3 opp MLAs begin fast

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today ruled out any re-look at the pact with private medical colleges on fees structure even as opposition UDF stepped up its agitation over the issue with three of its MLAs commencing an indefinite fast in the assembly complex.
The assembly witnessed uproarious scenes for the second consecutive day over the medical college issue with the Congress-led UDF members disrupting the proceedings leading to abrupt adjournment of the House.
MLAs Shafi Parambil and Hibi Eden (both Congress) and Anoop Jacob (KC-J) commenced the fast at the portal leading to the assembly hall protesting over the high fees structure.

Later talking to reporters at the state Secretariat, Vijayan stuck to his stand that the agreement was beneficial to the student community.
He also alleged that Congress agitation on the issue was to help those college managements who could not charge capitation fees due to the new agreement which they signed with the CPI-M-led LDF government.
Defending the decision, Vijayan said "the government's agreement is for the future of students and it has ensured that meritorious student gets admission...There will not be any change in the fees structure fixed as per the new pact."

He said the number of seats for meritorious students, especially from financially poor background, had gone up with the LDF government entering into the agreement with 20 private colleges as against ten colleges during the UDF rule.

Vijayan also said that any violation of the conditions laid down in the pact would be treated as "illegal" and "stern steps" would be taken against the erring colleges.
Seeking to turn the table on the UDF, Vijayan said under the previous rule, managements, who demanded capitation fee, used to get protection, but "Now they clearly know that they would not get this from the LDF government".
On disruption of assembly by UDF members, he said it was 'undemocratic' and aimed at garnering attention for their agitation outside the House which "lacked" public support.
The Chief Minister also rejected Opposition charge that police hurled tear gas yesterday at the protest venue of Youth Congress in front of the state Secretariat where its leaders were on a fast.

Earlier when the assembly began its proceedings, opposition members, who came to the House with placards and banners demanding scraping of the agreement, trooped into the Well and encircled the Speaker's podium raising slogans during the Question Hour.
They were also protesting against the police lathicharge to disperse agitating Youth Congress activists in the city yesterday and also demanded withdrawal of the controversial statement by Vijayan against the YC stir.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala asserted that the UDF would not allow the government to go ahead with the agreement reached with private college managements.
Terming as 'arrogant' the attitude of the government on the issue, he said "this will not be accepted.