Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday gave a firm assurance that the futures of the first batch of 50 students admitted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) in Reasi will be protected. This comes after the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew permission for the institute to run its MBBS course.
Government's Plan: Supernumerary Seats to the Rescue
Addressing the media on the sidelines of a function in Jammu, Omar Abdullah outlined the government's solution. He stated that the administration would accommodate all 50 affected students by creating supernumerary seats in other medical colleges. These are additional seats created beyond the usual sanctioned intake of an institution.
"We will adjust them by creating supernumerary seats in colleges close to their homes so that their education does not suffer," the Chief Minister said. He emphasized that it was the government's responsibility to find a solution for the students, describing the task as not difficult and one that had been thoroughly discussed.
Demand for Accountability and Merit-Based Admissions
Omar Abdullah did not shy away from demanding answers for the situation that led to the NMC's action. The commission cited the institute's non-adherence to minimum standards as the reason for withdrawing permission.
"We will accommodate these 50 students, but someone must answer for the damage done to students' futures," he asserted. He called for fixing accountability, pointing fingers at the university and its office-bearers. "You should question the university and its office-bearers from top to bottom — why, after building a medical college, did it fail to pass inspection?" he told reporters.
The Chief Minister also revisited the recent controversy surrounding admissions at SMVDIME, where an agitation was led against the admission of 42 Muslim students, mostly from Kashmir, compared to seven Hindu students. He reiterated that all admissions were strictly based on NEET merit, and selections were made purely on the candidates' scores in the national entrance exam.
Celebrating Sporting Achievement
During the same event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took time to celebrate a different success story. He interacted with and congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Under-16 cricket team for their historic victory.
The team, led by Smagey Khajuria, had clinched the Vijay Merchant Trophy (Plate Group) for the first time, defeating Mizoram by an innings and 182 runs in Surat on January 6. Omar Abdullah presented an appreciation trophy to the victorious squad.
"Your victory reflects not just talent, but teamwork, discipline and dedication. You have made the entire J&K proud," the Chief Minister told the young cricketers, applauding their remarkable feat.
