YSRCP demands PR to FMGs; lift police cases

Vijayawada, July 4: YSRCP has demanded the government to immediately issue Permanent Registration (PR) to Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs), besides lifting all cases registered against the medical students protesting the prolonged internship period.

A YSRCP delegation comprising Dr. Seediri Appalaraju, former minister and President of the YSRCP Medical Wing; Dr. Gopireddy Srinivasa Reddy, former MLA; Dr. Gajjala Sudheer Bhargav Reddy, YSRCP Coordinator, Sattenapalli; Dr. Monditoka Jagan Mohan Rao, former MLA; Dr. Shivabharath Reddy and others submitted a memorandum to the Medical College official, demanding immediate issuance of PR to the students.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Seediri Appalaraju and others stated that they had come to express solidarity with the FMGs on the instructions of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and submitted the memorandum to the officials.

They said that nowhere else in the country are FMGs being harassed this way. The government has been imposing harsh conditions on medical students who completed the 54-month course in foreign countries, completed internships, and cleared the required exams and internship period as per norms.

Yet the government is refusing to grant PR on one pretext or another, while FMGs in neighbouring states like Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have received PR. The government's claim that these students attended online classes during COVID is invalid, as they have attended compensatory classes, completed internships abroad, cleared the exams and completed internships in India as well.

Despite this, the government continues to impose unfair conditions to deny PR. The delegation demanded immediate issuance of the certificate and withdrawal of all police cases filed against students who were roughly handled during protests.

While YS Jagan Mohan Reddy worked hard to bring 17 new medical colleges, five of which were already approved and others in the pipeline, Chandrababu Naidu had previously privatised medical colleges and declined medical seats offered by the Centre, clearly showing who prioritised public healthcare.

Due to Chandrababu Naidu’s policies, Andhra Pradesh lost 2,550 medical seats, forcing many students to pursue medical education abroad. Now, even after fulfilling all criteria, the coalition government is failing to follow national norms for granting PR, putting students’ futures at stake.

These students cannot pursue higher education, take up jobs or practice medicine without PR. YSRCP demands the government to resolve the issue immediately and stop using police force against them.