Sajid Raina
Rajouri, Dec 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said there can be no allocation of seats on religious lines in the proposed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) at Katra, asserting that admissions have to remain strictly merit-based under NEET guidelines.
“Any institution advocating religious-based allocation must first stop taking government grants and return the land received free of cost, before amending its internal rules for exclusive admissions,” the CM said while speaking to reporters during his visit to Rajouri.
Referring to the ongoing public debate over reservation of MBBS seats, Omar said the law, the Constitution and the university’s own policy do not allow division of seats on the basis of religion.
“When the decision to establish a medical college in the university was taken, it was done with full understanding that seats cannot be divided on religious grounds. They approved the NEET system, and in NEET exams, only merit counts,” he said. “Students who secured marks and got admission cannot now be punished because their religion is different.”
On infrastructure concerns in the region, Abdullah raised the issue of deteriorating road conditions due to ongoing widening, four-laning and tunnel projects. He said the existing stretches should be properly maintained until the new tunnels become functional.
“Today (Tuesday) I left Srinagar at 6.30 am and travelled via Mughal Road, Bafliaz, Poonch to Rajouri. I have seen the road conditions myself. I will forward this to the Government of India and request Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to speed up the Border Roads works,” he said, noting that these roads fall under the Ministry of Defence.
Responding to a query on bunker construction in border areas, the Chief Minister said the process will continue depending on feasibility. “Some people demand individual bunkers, but there isn’t enough space and resources everywhere. Where possible, individual bunkers will be made, and where they aren’t, community bunkers will be built,” he said.
Asked about the demolition of a journalist’s residence in Jammu, CM Omar said the action was not carried out under the NC government. “Those who appointed the officer who executed this should be questioned,” he added.
