Institutions Asked to Explain Conduct of Allied Healthcare Programmes Without Mandatory Approval; Fresh Admissions Barred Pending Inquiry
Srinagar, June 19 :
The State Allied and Healthcare Council (SAHC), Jammu and Kashmir, has issued show-cause notices to four private paramedical institutions for allegedly conducting and facilitating Allied and Healthcare courses without obtaining the requisite permission, recognition and approval from the competent authorities.
According to official notices issued by the Council, the institutions served with 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 operating in Srinagar and Jammu.
The Council stated that preliminary scrutiny of available records revealed that these institutions were allegedly offering Allied and Healthcare programmes and operating study centres, training centres, learning centres, franchise centres and off-campus centres within Jammu and Kashmir without securing statutory approval under the provisions of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.
SAHC observed that unauthorized conduct of such programmes could adversely affect students’ academic and professional interests, including recognition of qualifications, registration, employability and the overall validity of certificates awarded through such courses.
The Council has directed the institutions to submit their replies within seven days and furnish documentary evidence regarding permissions, recognition, affiliations, approvals, student admissions, faculty details, infrastructure, hospital affiliations and other records related to the courses being offered.
Pending examination of their response, the institutions have been instructed not to make fresh admissions, commence new batches, advertise Allied and Healthcare programmes, establish new centres or expand existing academic activities without prior approval from the competent authority.
The notices further warn that failure to comply or submit a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated period could result in ex-parte action by the Council. Such action may include declaration of the courses as unauthorized and unrecognized, closure of study centres, suspension of admissions, issuance of public advisories, reporting of the matter to regulatory bodies and recommendation for civil or criminal proceedings, including registration of FIRs wherever warranted.
The notices, issued by the Assistant Legal Remembrancer of the State Allied and Healthcare Council, have also been forwarded to the Health and Medical Education Department and the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions for information and necessary action(KNC)