Ruling National Conference (NC) MLA Tanvir Sadiq has submitted a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly urging the Centre to review the decision to revoke permission for the MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME).
The National Medical Commission (NMC) had withdrawn the Letter of Permission (LoP) to the medical college, citing non-compliance with minimum standards and serious deficiencies in faculty strength, clinical material and infrastructure.
According to sources, Sadiq’s Private Member’s resolution calls upon the Union government and the NMC to immediately review and reconsider the decision to withdraw the Letter of Permission.
The NMC’s move came amid protests by some right-wing outfits over a large number of non-Hindu candidates being admitted to the MBBS course. The issue is now expected to dominate the initial proceedings of the Budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which is scheduled to convene next month.
The resolution seeks a fair and transparent reassessment by the regulatory authorities and urges all necessary steps to restore the MBBS course at SMVDIME in the larger public interest.
It points out that the institute was established to cater to the healthcare and medical education needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and was developed with substantial public funding and infrastructure support.
The resolution further underlines that any regulatory shortcomings should have been addressed through corrective measures and by providing a reasonable opportunity for compliance, rather than resorting to the withdrawal of permission.
The development is likely to trigger a major political and policy debate in the upcoming Assembly session over medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the Union Territory.
