DMAT echoes in MP Assy

Bhopal, Feb 21 (UNI) The ''widespread irregularities,'' in last year's Dental and Medical Admission Test (DMAT) for more than 1,000 seats in about a dozen of Madhya Pradesh's private colleges, were raised in the Assembly today.

After Mr Jalam Singh (Bharatiya Janata Party) raised the matter during question hour, Mr Satyadeo Katare (Congress) read out a report by the District Collector, Bhopal, which said that the merit list was placed on the backburner while providing admissions. The report contained evidence.

Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi, who was the larget of the opposition's attack, said, ''this report -- obtained about four months back -- was placed before the Judges Commitee, formed as per the Supreme Court's directive.'' Mr Katare demanded that the colleges, which indulged in irregularities, be derecognised.

While Mr Vishnoi was making his reply, the Samajwadi Party and non-Congress opposition members demanded that the matter be probed by a house committee but their demand was rejected by Speaker Ishwardas Rohani who sought to know details of the apex court's directives.

The Minister assured the House that the Supreme Court's directives were being followed in letter and spirit.

DMAT, conducted by a Private Colleges Management Association, was followed by allegations that bribes were taken for allotting seats.

When the issue was raised in the Vidhan Sabha earlier, the Speaker directed an inquiry into the complaints.

UNI