While counseling for undergraduate courses in State’s medical colleges is nearing end, time is running out for J&K Government to start admissions for recently added MBBS seats under Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota.
With J&K under President’s Rule, the state would requirea nod from the Parliament to Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment)Bill 2019, which was approved by the State Administrative Council (SAC) lastmonth, to amend the relevant law and start admissions for 85 seats under theEWS quota, said Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education AtalDulloo.
He said the State has taken up the matter with the Uniongovernment. “Once the Act is passed, the reservation rules (Jammu and KashmirReservation Rules 2005) will be amended to pave way for admissions,” he said.
The State Administrative Council (SAC), headed by theGovernor Satya Pal Malik, approved the bill to amend the Act last month, toincorporate provisions for implementation of the 103rd amendment of IndianConstitution – 10% reservation for EWS in educational institutions.
J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations iscurrently holding counseling for 900 MBBS seats in the medical colleges.
The aspirants fear that delay in starting the admissionprocess could cost them an opportunity to get admission.
“I come from a very poor family. But if I do not opt for aseat in open merit category and agree to pay the fee which my parents canill-afford, I may not get a seat at all,” an aspirant from the EWS categorysaid. Many other aspirants shared similar apprehensions.
The last date for completion of MBBS admissions is August12. “The little time”, many aspirants feel, will dart their hopes of securingan MBBS seat under the EWS quota this year.
An official involved in admission process said the EWS candidateswould need to get certificates from the authorities before they can apply underthe category which itself was a “time consuming process”.
He added although preparation of merit list for the seatswould not take much time, the process of verification of eligibility andcertification may push the process beyond the deadline.
However, Dulloo said J&K may approach Supreme Court forextension of deadline for admissions under the EWS category if need arises.
“The Social Welfare Department is on the job to get the Actpassed. Once that is done, we would try our best to ensure that admissionprocess is carried out this year only,” he said.
Last month, the intake capacity under EWS category inJ&K medical colleges was raised by 85 seats – 30 each in Government MedicalColleges (GMC) Srinagar and Jammu and 25 seats in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute ofMedical Sciences (SKIMS).
In addition, the BDS seats were also increased by 26 seats,13 each in Government Dental Colleges of Jammu and Srinagar.