AGARTALA, June 22 (TIWN): Even though before the Election, BJP demanded to decrease to fees of Tripura Medical College (TMC), but recently after announcing Tripura Medical College is controlled by society, Health Minister Sudip Barman once again made it clear that TMC is totally controlled by society and the state govt has no right to dictate them. The issue was raised by CPI-M Ex-Health Minister Badal Choudhury in the Assembly first who said, “At a jump the fees of Tripura Medical College has been increased with 16 lakh course fee. Does it mean that this profession will be only for rich people ? In CPI-M Govt’s time the MBBS admission free was Rs. 5.5 lakh, whereas to complete the whole course it took around 22 lakhs rupees. Now suddenly the fee has been hiked at 9.5 lakhs rupees which will take Rs. 38 lakhs total to complete the whole course. Within 3 months of the BJP-IPFT Govt’s formation such a bigger shock was unexpected”. In reply to Badal Choudhury's allegation, Health Minister Sudip Barman said, “TMC is totally controlled by society and it has no link with Govt. The College authority also needs money for expenditure and that’s why the fee was increased”.

When Badal Choudhury asked about middle class and poor talented students, Sudip Barman replied govt will help the poor students and it will talk to the society regarding this.

Badal Choudhury further mentioned, there should be reservations for poor and SC/ ST. He also said, in history of Tripura it never happened that at a jump 16 lakh of fees have been increased.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb in reply said, the era of screaming and protests have gone. Now everything will be given proper shape and all problems will be solved.

“Many protests were done in last decade by public to get their rights but this Govt is of 37 lakh people’s Govt. All will be automatically done. Oppositions should help the BJP Govt for the welfare of 37 lakhs people of Tripura”, CM said.

On yesterday CPI-M’s student wing had placed a deputation to the Director of TMC Prof Chinmoy Biswas demanding to decrease the fee.