While the Medical Council of India (MCI) have allowed 29 medical colleges to admit students in 2006-07, nine other medical colleges, including three private and six new ones proposed by the Government, are yet to get clearance from MCI. So far, MCI has cleared 3,660 seats in 29 medical colleges for admission in the next academic year.

Sources said the MCI and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India is yet to take a decision on the proposals from the Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital Bangalore ad KVJ Medical College Sulia, each of which has asked for an intake of 100 seats. Similarly, MCI is yet to consider the case of the six new medical colleges, which the state government plans to start from the year 2006-07. The MCI however has approved a total of 400 seats to the existing four medical colleges in Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli and Bellary.

According to Karnataka Medical Education minister Dr VS Acharaya, the MCI teams conducted inspections of the six government colleges proposed at Mandya, Hassan, Bidar, Belgaum, Shimoga, and Raichur. Of these, he was hopeful that the facilities created at Mandya, Belgaum and Hassan would satisfy the MCI and the government should be able to admit students to these colleges.

As for the three other private colleges, the MCI has conducted inspections and their status will be known only along with the other proposed government colleges.

The MCI is expected to finalize the supplementary list of medical colleges in about a week's time. If any of the medical colleges was not happy about the MCI findings they could file an appeal before the Health and Family welfare minister for a review, said the minister.

The state government will notify the medical seat matrix only after it received status of all colleges, including those recently inspected. However, if any college receives approval later, it will not be considered for the year 2006-07. The colleges have time till August 31 to complete the process of MBBS admissions.