Four paramedical institutes in dock for conducting ‘unauthorized’ courses

Srinagar, Jun 19: The State Allied and Healthcare Council, Jammu & Kashmir (SAHC-J&K), has issued show cause notices to four private educational institutions for allegedly conducting and facilitating Allied and Healthcare courses without obtaining the mandatory approvals and recognition from the competent authorities.
The notices have been served to Boston Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Pulwama; NIMS Lawaypora, Srinagar; MM College of Paramedical Sciences and Technology, Sopore; and GD Goenka Healthcare Academy, Srinagar/Jammu.
According to the Council, a preliminary scrutiny of records and available material indicates that these institutions have been conducting, promoting, and facilitating admissions to various Allied and Healthcare programmes in Jammu and Kashmir, purportedly under affiliations or collaborations with universities and institutions located outside the Union Territory.
However, the institutions allegedly failed to secure the required permissions, approvals, recognition, or registration from the State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, or the erstwhile Paramedical Council.
The Council stated that such activities, if established, would be in violation of the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, particularly Section 40, which prohibits institutions from starting courses, admitting students, or operating educational programmes without prior approval from the competent authority.
In the notices, SAHC-J&K observed that unauthorized operation of study centres, training centres, franchise centres, learning centres, and off-campus centres poses serious concerns for students pursuing professional healthcare education. The Council warned that qualifications obtained through unapproved programmes may not be recognized under the law, potentially affecting students’ registration, employment prospects, professional standing, and career progression.
The institutions have been directed to explain within seven days why their courses and programmes should not be declared unauthorized and unrecognized. They have also been asked to clarify why action should not be initiated for allegedly conducting educational activities without lawful approval and why recommendations should not be made for civil, criminal, or other legal proceedings wherever warranted.
The Council has sought extensive documentation from the institutions, including copies of approvals and recognitions, affiliation agreements, admission records, faculty details, infrastructure and laboratory facilities, hospital affiliations, publicity materials, details of centres operating within Jammu and Kashmir, and information regarding qualifications already awarded to students.
Pending examination of their replies, SAHC-J&K has directed the institutions not to undertake fresh admissions, start new batches, advertise Allied and Healthcare courses, establish new centres, or expand existing academic activities without prior permission from the competent authority.
The Council further cautioned that failure to submit a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe may result in ex-parte proceedings. Possible actions include declaration of courses as unauthorized, closure of centres and programmes, prohibition on future admissions, issuance of public advisories for students and parents, reporting the matter to universities and regulatory authorities, and initiation of civil, criminal, or other legal proceedings, including registration of FIRs where applicable. Describing the matter as “most urgent,” the State Allied and Healthcare Council emphasized that strict compliance with statutory norms governing Allied and Healthcare education is essential to safeguard students’ interests and maintain the integrity and quality of professional healthcare education in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)