Srinagar, June 19: The Jammu and Kashmir State Allied and Healthcare Council (SAHC) has issued show-cause notices to four private institutes for allegedly conducting allied and healthcare programmes without obtaining mandatory approvals from competent authorities.
The institutes named in the notices include Boston Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Pulwama; NIMS- Lawaypora Srinagar; MM College of Paramedical Sciences and Technology, Sopore; and GD Goenka Healthcare Academy, which has operations in Srinagar and Jammu.
Officials said the council took cognizance of these institutions allegedly promoting admissions and operating study centres, franchise centres and off-campus centres in the Union Territory in association with universities or institutions based outside J&K, without the requisite permission from the SAHC or the erstwhile J&K Paramedical Council.
Quoting provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, the council said the law explicitly prohibits establishment of institutions, commencement of courses and admission of students without prior approval from the competent authority. It further stated that any qualification awarded in violation of the Act would not be recognised.
“The institutions’ actions prima facie appear to be prejudicial to the academic and professional interests of students and could affect their registration and employability,” the notices read.
The council has directed the institutes to respond within seven days, explaining why their courses should not be declared unauthorised and unrecognised. It has also sought detailed records, including approvals, affiliations, admission data, faculty details, hospital tie-ups, infrastructure and qualifications awarded to students.
Pending examination of their replies, the institutes have been barred from making fresh admissions, starting new batches, advertising programmes or expanding academic activities without prior permission of the competent authority.
The SAHC warned that failure to submit a satisfactory response within the stipulated time may lead to ex-parte action, including closure of courses and centres, issuance of public advisories, reporting to regulatory bodies and recommendation of legal proceedings, including registration of an FIR wherever warranted.
