Degree holders ineligible for hundreds of posts in new medical colleges

The recently advertised technical and paramedical posts in the new medical colleges have been kept available for the candidates with diplomas in various disciplines, while applications from the aspirants who possess a degree in the same stream are not being reportedly entertained.

The much anticipated recruitment for 1235 posts in new medical colleges of Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Doda and Rajouri has come as a dampener for the candidates with bachelors and masters degrees. While beginning February, JK Service Selection Board issued advertisements for recruitment of nursing, paramedic and technical staff for the five upcoming medical colleges in the State, the eligibility criteria for most of these posts is diploma, leaving degree holders out.

   

The bizarre exclusion of aspirants who have studied to a higher level and qualified degree courses, bachelors and in some cases masters as well, has raised eyebrows. Aspirants have alleged that State government, with its “age-old eligibility criteria” was “murdering merit” while rendering more qualified candidates ineligible to apply.

Citing example, a candidate said, “For the posts of technician and technical assistant in various departments such as medicine, pediatrics, anatomy, biochemistry, forensics and others, candidates with Science at 10+2 with diploma in medical lab technology is eligible while a candidate with BSc in medical lab technology and higher qualification is ineligible.” He added that he had hoped to have better career prospects with a degree in lab technology but the State government has ruined his career, and of many others.

Another aspirants with a BSc in medical assisting said that he had been rendered ineligible for posts of paramedic and nursing staff as the eligibility criteria mentions only candidates with a diploma in medical assistant course. He lamented that his parents had taken a loan to enroll him for a degree course in a college outside the State. “All that has gone waste as there are no opportunities for us now in J&K,” he said.

An official in health and medical education department said that although, over the years, many paramedical, nursing and technical educational institutes have replaced diploma courses with degree courses, the eligibility criteria for various posts in J&K had not been changed. “This is in conflict with improving career prospects and employing better skilled people,” the official said.

Commissioner Secretary health and medical education, AtalDulloo, said his department was aware of the issue and agreed that “some candidates were affected in some disciplines”. He said that the matter was being looked into. “We will try to address this issue,” he said.

The last date for submission of application for these posts was 27 February which has now been extended to March 14. Each college has 247 vacancies under 41 categories of posts.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

one × four =