Thiruvananthapuram: The fast undertaken by three Kerala Opposition MLAs to protest the agreement between the Left Democratic Front government and the managements of private medical colleges entered the third day on Friday.
The Opposition United Democratic Front alleges that the agreement that the government signed with the private college managements for medical college admissions enables the managements to charge high capitation fees from students.
In some cases, the allegation is that as much as Rs10 million is charged for medical admission. Managements refute this claim.
In a surprise development, former chief minister and Communist Party of India — Marxist veteran V.S. Achuthanandan visited the three MLAs who are on fast. The three on fast are Congressmen Shafi Parambil and Hibi Eden, and Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob.
Achuthanandan visited them before he entered the state assembly, which is in session. The veteran CPM leader, who is now the chairman of the administrative reforms committee, enquired about their health.
In another development, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department would look into the allegation that private medical college managements were taking capitation fees from students.
The move followed an expose by a local television channel. Health minister K.K. Shailaja had stated in the assembly that action would be taken if any discrepancies were noticed on the part of private managements.
Opposition MLAs came to the assembly on Friday wearing black badges. The protest fast by the MLAs is likely to carry on over the weekend.
