Another comrade procures NRI seat in Pariyaram Medical College

Even as the CPM and its allies continue to cry hoarse over self-financing colleges and capitation fee in the state, yet another comrade has managed to secure an NRI seat for her daughter at Pariyaram Medical College in  Kannur district controlled by the CPM.

Joony Suhana S, daughter of advocate Shailaja Beegom, CPM leader and DYFI state committee member, has secured the MBBS admission for 2012-13 at the Academy of Medical of Sciences under the Pariyaram Medical College.

Joony was ranked 13th in the NRI quota list. An advocate by profession, Shailaja is also district panchayat member representing Kizhuvilam division of Thiruvananthapuram district.

The amount fixed for an MBBS seat in the NRI quota is `50 lakh and the fresh controversy comes on the heels of the V V Rameshan row which stirred up a hornet’s nest a year ago. Rameshan, then treasurer of DYFI state unit and a director board member of the college, had secured an MBBS seat for his daughter under the NRI quota in 2011-12, which ultimately led to his expulsion from DYFI.  

Ironically, Shailaja was a board member at the Pariyaram Medical College, when the Rameshan row erupted last year, but has since then vacated the post.

When contacted by Express, Shailaja said, “You cannot compare my daughter’s admission in the Pariyaram College with that of the V V Rameshan’s daughter as he secured the admission when he was a board member. There were also issues regarding the source of the money paid as capitation. In my daughter’s case, we have submitted documents in compliance with the norms concerning NRI quota seats. Also, my daughter has been sponsored by close relatives abroad. There is no cause for a controversy as the admission process is transparent.”

Shailaja also admitted that her husband was  not an NRI but a businessman based in Thiruvananthapuram.

It is reliably learnt that a member of the CPM T’puram panel has submitted a petition urging stringent action against Shailaja. M Swaraj, DYFI state president, said he was not aware of the details and declined to comment.