J&K Govt starts process to adjust MBBS students on merit, domicile

The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun the process of adjusting students of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Katra, after the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew the Letter of Permission (LoP) for running its MBBS programme.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo told The Tribune on Friday that the adjustment process has started and affected students will be accommodated in other medical colleges across the UT. “The students will be adjusted keeping merit and their places of domicile in mind. Students from both regions will be accommodated in their respective regions,” Itoo said.

Officials said the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) is likely to be involved in the exercise to facilitate the redistribution of students among various medical colleges in the UT.

The Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC had granted permission to the institute on September 8 last year. However, protests erupted in Jammu soon after admissions to the first MBBS batch began, following the allotment of a majority of seats to Muslim candidates. Of the 50 MBBS seats, 42 were allotted to Muslim students, triggering objections from right-wing groups.

The BJP also joined the protests, claiming that the admissions hurt Hindu sentiments as the institute is linked to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). Amid the protests, an inspection was conducted at the institute, during which discrepancies were reportedly found. Subsequently, the NMC rescinded the LoP.

While several social and religious organisations in Jammu welcomed the decision, political parties in the Kashmir Valley condemned the move, terming it communal. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned senior functionaries of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University over the institute’s failure to clear the recent NMC inspection.

Officials said the institute would have to rectify the shortcomings highlighted during the inspection before reapplying for permission. “The institute can apply again for the LoP in future if it is able to correct the discrepancies,” an official said.