Mahiti Hakku Jagruti Vedike (MHJV), a right to information forum, has demanded more transparency in the allocation of seats in the Government Unani College by CET (Common Entrance Test) cell because of no takers. This is for the course Bachelor of Unani Medical Sciences (BUMS).

There are over 30 seats lying vacant and the MHJV has alerted the State government's Department of education about the unfilled seats.

The MHJV views it as a conspiracy to sell these seats to aspirant students from other states. Therefore MHJV is asking Karnataka government to formulate a transparent policy for such admissions to prevent corrupt practices by the officials.

MHJV observed that for the last three years, the seats are not getting filled by CET because of no takers for this course. But the Vedike has gathered that the vacant seats were sold to aspirants by the officials. "In order to prevent corrupt practices and ensure the deserving candidates get the seats, we are pressurizing the State government to formulate a transparent policy for admissions to this college for filling the vacant seats", stated JSD Pani, president, Mahiti Hakku Jagruti Vedike.

This year, over 30 seats (against 50 permitted) are vacant for the first year BUMS course in the Government Unani College. The Vedike has learnt that several deals are struck with candidates seeking admissions from other States. It is quite clear that the seats are not offered on merit to the candidates from Karnataka. There is also an effort by those who are selling the seats to change the eligibility criteria for admission by reducing the percentage of marks obtained in PUC to 40 per cent from the present 50 per cent.

"This makes it imperative for the State government to work towards formulating a transparent policy for admissions in Unani education which will help to fill up the vacant seats on the basis of merit, failing which the Government will be encouraging the corrupt practices, informed Pani.

If there is fall in the number of students taking up Bachelor of Unani, then the State Government must consider the closure of the institution in coming years and utilise the infrastructure and expertise elsewhere for providing public health care facility.

There are three colleges offering Unani in the private sector in Karnataka with an admission capacity of 120 students every year. Under the circumstances, there is no reason why the Government Unani College seats are lying vacant, pointed out Pani.

The Vedike has also alerted the Lok Ayukta about the vacant seats as a complaint calling to initiate enquiry into these admissions which is a questionable practice for the last three years.