TN: Ponmudy criticises Ramadoss' statements

Chennai, June 30: The stand-off between the ruling DMK and its ally PMK took a new turn with DMK strongman and Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy coming down heavily on PMK founder S Ramadoss' statements here yesterday.

Reacting to Mr Ramadoss' allegation that the private professional colleges in the state were collecting exorbitant fees from students, Mr Ponmudy said the state did not have effective power over these institutions as they come under the Central agencies like the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Dental Council of India (DCI), which in turn functions under the union Health Ministry headed by Mr Anbumani Ramadoss.

''If Ramadoss launches agitation in front of the offices of these bodies in Delhi demanding more power to the state government, we, after obtaining necessary permission from DMK President M Karunanidhi, will paticipate in it,'' Mr Ponmudy said.

Mr Ponmudy asserted that the government would take action against the erring institutions, if Dr Ramadoss provides specific complaints about the institutions collecting heavy fees instead of levelling ''vague'' allegations.

UNI