Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced Thursday that students affected by the closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College will be accommodated in other institutions. The government will create supernumerary seats to ensure students’ education continues without interruption.
Supernumerary seats are additional places created beyond a college’s approved intake capacity. These seats allow for the admission of students in special circumstances, like the present closure, without affecting the regular intake of other institutions. Abdullah stated these students passed the NEET examination and possess merit. He emphasized the government’s legal responsibility to adjust them.
Student Adjustment Plan
Abdullah confirmed thorough discussions with the Health Minister regarding student relocation. He assured students would be placed in medical colleges located close to their homes. This strategy aims to minimize disruption to their ongoing studies and personal lives. “It is our legal responsibility to accommodate them,” Abdullah told reporters. “We will adjust them by creating supernumerary seats in colleges close to their homes so that their education does not suffer.” He added that adjusting these students was ‘not a difficult task’ and affirmed, ‘We will do it.’
Accountability for College Closure
The Chief Minister also called for immediate accountability regarding the medical college’s sudden closure. He questioned why essential standards were not maintained at the institution, leading to its inability to operate. Abdullah stated that university officials, from top to bottom, must answer for the college’s failure to pass inspection by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Abdullah specifically directed accountability questions towards the university’s leadership and its Chancellor. He noted that the NMC’s assertion of unmet norms made the situation even more unfortunate. “Instead of questioning me alone, ask them as well,” he urged. He reiterated that responsibility must be fixed for the damage done to students’ futures if standards were not upheld.
Criticism of Closure and Future Impact
Abdullah sharply criticized the protests that contributed to the college’s shutdown. He highlighted the region’s unique predicament: receiving a fully built medical college only for it to become inoperable due to public agitation. He contrasted this situation with the intense national struggle aspiring students face to secure any medical college seat across the country.
The Chief Minister raised significant concerns about the long-term impact on students’ future educational opportunities. He noted that if the college had expanded over time, its capacity could have gradually increased to 400-500 seats, potentially accommodating 250-300 students from Jammu alone in the future. Abdullah pointed out that initially, 40 out of 50 seats were taken by Muslim students, which had prompted objections.
Government Financial Aid
Regarding financial assistance, Abdullah clarified the government would not retract aid provided to the university. “The aid was given to the university. We are not the kind of people who give money and then take it back,” he stated.
Chief Minister’s Stance
Abdullah addressed criticism about his outspokenness. He asserted he has never avoided any issue. He also indicated that further questions could be raised and answered during the upcoming Assembly session.