Fix accountability for SMVDIME failure to maintain standards, meet norms: CM Omar

Jammu, Jan 8: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday batted for fixing accountability in case the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) could not comply with the minimum standards and failed to meet NMC regulatory norms.

He said that the students, affected by the decision of National Medical Commission (NMC) to withdraw the Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to SMVDIME, Reasi, for running the MBBS course with 50 seats for the academic year 2025-26, would be adjusted in the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) of J&K, nearer to their native places by creating supernumerary seats.

“Directions have been issued. The (J&K)  Health Minister is standing by my side. Yesterday, she was with me at Samba. We have formally deliberated over the issue. As I stated in Samba yesterday, these children, as per the (NMC) order, have cleared NEET exams, and they are in the merit list. To adjust them legally is our responsibility,” the Chief Minister said, while responding to media queries after the launch of JK e-Pathshala – the Direct To Home (DTH)-53 channel of J&K School Education Department in Jammu.

“So, our effort will be to adjust them to the Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) nearer to their native places by creating supernumerary seats so that their education does not suffer. To adjust them is not a difficult job for us. We will do it, but we will have to think about the manner. This medical college (SMVDIME) was shut, damaging the future prospects of students,” he said.

Reiterating his contention, CM Omar said that the college shutdown through agitation damaged the future prospects of many J&K children aspiring to be doctors.

“As yesterday I had mentioned that in the present context, if today (over) 40 seats, out of a total 50, were secured by the Muslim children, about which you (Samiti, others) raised objections. But in the future, the number of seats of this college (SMVDIME) would have been raised, and the number could have reached 400-500 seats. It was very likely that out of them, 250-300 Jammu children would have procured the seats. Now, where will they go?” he asked.

“In the entire country, the people desire and fight for the medical college in the vicinity. Probably ours is the only place where we had a well-built medical college, and we got it shut down through agitation,” the Chief Minister reiterated.

He answered a query about the NMC inspection of SMVDIME with a volley of posers. In the same breath, he expressed disappointment that the media was not asking the concerned people those relevant questions.

“First of all, tell me, who conducted the inspection? If the inspection was done (earlier), how was it (SMVDIME) cleared? These people (Sangharsh Samiti, others) are celebrating it (closure), but you people (media) are not raising questions. To begin with, you should ask questions to that university (SMVDU), its office bearers – from top to bottom- if they built a medical college, why did it not clear the inspection?” CM Omar questioned.

The medical college in question – Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) – was under Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU).

When his attention was sought towards the BJP’s assertion that the Letter of Permission granted to SMVDIME, the medical college of SMVDU, was withdrawn after NMC observed many deficiencies or irregularities there vis-à-vis standard norms, the Chief Minister had a counter question.

However, before he could throw his poser, the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Masood Itoo, who was standing next to the Chief Minister, stated that an inspection was done prior to that (before granting permission).

“In that case, it is more unfortunate, and the issue becomes grave. Who heads this university (SMVDU)? Who is the Chancellor of this university? At least you (media) should pose certain questions to him also. You (media) come running to me to grill. Go and station there (Lok Bhavan) also to throw posers. If today, the BJP is happy that the university did not maintain its standards. If the university did not do so, who is responsible for it? And what action will be taken against those responsible for it?” the Chief Minister asked.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is the Chancellor of SMVDU.

Maintaining momentum, CM Omar said that the affected 50 students would be adjusted. “But someone should be held accountable for the damage caused to the future prospects of children aspiring to be doctors (in the wake of the closure of the medical college),” he said.

When asked if the government would take back the financial aid granted to the college, the CM said, “That aid was given to the university. Even otherwise, we are not among those people who give money to take it back.”

Queried about the People’s Democratic Party’s allegations that unemployment was rising and the Chief Minister was maintaining silence on it, while regularly raising other issues, CM Omar said, “In fact, my party colleagues advise that I should maintain silence as much as possible. Their (colleagues’) assertion is – I remain open to media queries, more than what is desired. But tell me the issue where I’ve maintained silence and not adequately responded to that. I’ve not shied away from any issue.”

“Still, if they (opposition) want to hear me vis-à-vis a particular issue, the assembly session is just around the corner. Ask their member (MLA) to raise (submit) a question there, we will answer it,” he said.