MCI offers 700 additional seats

BANGALORE: On Monday, the CET medical counselling began without any hitch.“As per our calendar the Karnataka CET medical counselling has begun on time. There are 1276 MBBS government quota seats and an additional 700 seats will be processed by the Medical Council of India,” said S Ramdas, Medical Minister during the felicitation of top five toppers in the CET streams.In the second special round of counselling, students can choose from these additional 700 seats. This special round is open for those students who have already secured seats. The date for the special round of counselling will be announced soon.Ramdas also said that this is the first time 25 per cent additional seats in deemed universities in Karnataka will be given to students, and too shall be offered at the special counselling round.Also, on the seat matrix are three new medical colleges in the city. “We want quality doctors not more and more doctors. From this year 24/7 digital library will be introduced, also stipend will be enhanced.” Basin from Bank of India said `25,000 cash reward will be given to each of the toppers apart from providing tuition fee.TNIE spoke to toppers to find out the students’ future academic plans: Ramya R who scored 95.55 per cent has secured a seat at the Bangalore Medical College for MBBS. Asaf Ali K Kammar from Hubli bagged the second spot and has opted Kings Hubli College.Chirag H V, a student from Hassan, who ranked third has chosen Bangalore Medical college to pursue MBBS.“I have been assured `20,000 cash from the Indian Bank every year as tuition fee.”