Srinagar, Jan 8 (KNS): General Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) Imran Reza Ansari on Wednesday raised concerns over the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) withdrawal of permission for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Reasi, citing deficiencies flagged during a recent inspection.
In a statement, Ansari said the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the NMC cited a 39 per cent faculty shortfall, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient clinical material, low bed occupancy and poor patient load following a surprise inspection conducted on January 2.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining academic and clinical standards, Ansari said the sequence of events surrounding the decision warranted scrutiny.
He said the institute, which received approval in September 2025, admitted its first batch of 50 students through NEET merit, after which protests were held by certain groups opposing the admissions.
He alleged that the NMC’s decision came after the protests peaked and said some BJP leaders had publicly welcomed the revocation. Ansari said this raised questions about whether regulatory processes were insulated from political pressure.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Ansari said students would be shifted as supernumerary candidates to other medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, but added that the move would disrupt their academic year and delay their progress.
Quoting JKPC president Sajad Lone, Ansari said medical education should not be communalised and admissions must remain strictly merit-based.
He said healthcare professionals and patients should not be viewed through a religious lens.
The JKPC leader said the episode highlighted concerns about institutions being granted approval before meeting minimum standards, with deficiencies surfacing only after students were admitted.
He called for stricter enforcement of norms prior to granting permissions, rather than corrective action after admissions. Ansari said aspiring doctors should not bear the consequences of administrative lapses or political controversies and urged authorities to ensure stability and transparency in medical education governance.(KNS).