Srinagar July 29:
In a severe reprimand, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has imposed a penalty on Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu by slashing 8 MBBS seats for the academic year 2023-24. The move comes as a consequence of a gross violation committed by the concerned officials at GMC Jammu. The officials admitted 184 MBBS students, exceeding the approved intake capacity of 180 seats for the current academic year.
A high-level Coordination Committee meeting, chaired by the NMC Chairman on July 13, discussed the issue in detail before arriving at the decision to reduce the MBBS seats as punishment. As per NMC’s directive, the action was taken in response to the college admitting four students over its sanctioned capacity, which led to the imposition of a double penalty.
ShambuSharan Kumar, Director of Undergraduate Medical Education Board (NMC), communicated the decision through a letter dated July 20, 2023, addressed to the Principal and Dean of GMC Jammu. The college authorities have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and identify the responsible individuals behind this blunder. They are required to submit an action taken report to the NMC within 15 days from the date of communication.
The letter further warns that failing to respond within the stipulated timeframe will result in the continuation of the seat reduction penalty not only for the academic year 2023-24 but also for the subsequent academic year 2024-25.
This punitive action has sent shockwaves through GMC Jammu and among MBBS aspirants, as it means only 172 students will have the opportunity to pursue their MBBS studies at the prestigious medical college in the upcoming academic session.
An official from the Health and Medical Education Department, J&K, revealed that the matter has been under scrutiny since December last year. A committee was formed to ascertain accountability in the case, and it has already submitted its findings. The official cited the callous approach of GMC Jammu authorities as the reason for the blunder, emphasizing that such violations are uncommon.
“This major fraud of adding four extra MBBS seats was an unacceptable breach, and the government will not hesitate to take necessary actions. The NMC’s stern response reflects the gravity of the situation and may entail strict measures against GMC Jammu,” the official warned.
