AC approves filling leftover vacancies in paramedical institutions

Jammu, Feb 21: The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the filling up of leftover vacancies in paramedical institutions after centralised counselling by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) is over.

The AC approved filling up of leftover seats for admission to M Sc and B Sc Nursing, Post Basic B Sc Nursing, B Pharmacy courses and various paramedical courses in the government-run institutions and private institutions in J&K by the institution itself, on a merit basis strictly as per the eligibility criteria and Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) framed by the government after centralised counselling by the BOPEE is over.

This has been necessitated after the majority of such seats in private as well as government nursing and paramedical institutions remain unfilled and a representation in this regard was submitted by the promoters of the institutions.

By the SAC decision dated July 30, 2019, the Health and Medical Education Department issued SRO-505 of 2019 dated August 20, 2019, vide which admission to nursing and paramedical courses offered by the government, private institutions, and universities were  to be made by J&K BOPEE on a merit basis.

Subsequently, vide SRO-640 of 2019 dated October 24, 2019, the notification SRO-505 of 2019 dated August 20, 2019, was to take effect from academic session 2020-21.

The admissions were made by BOPEE but the majority of seats in government and private institutions remain unfilled.

The case was examined and the model in Punjab was also studied.

Thereafter the Health and Medical Education Department decided to frame SoPs in consultation with the Registrar, J&K, Paramedical Council.

In consultation with GAD and J&K BOPEE, the H&ME Department submitted the instant proposal for the approval of the AC.

The AC also approved the creation of five Special Courts along with posts for trial of offences under the NDPS Act along with supporting staff and infrastructure, one each in districts of Anantnag, Baramulla, Jammu, Pulwama, and Srinagar.

This has been done in compliance with the orders of the High Court in the case, ‘Thana Singh versus Central Bureau of Narcotics’ and High Court J&K in the case ‘Arshad Ahmad Allaie versus UT of J&K’.

A resolution of the Committee of Judges of J&K High Court has recommended that Special Courts should be created at least in those districts where the pendency of NDPS cases is more than 500 which has also been approved by the Chief Justice.

The step would have annual financial implications of Rs 4.65 crore for J&K.

The AC also accorded approval to a 50 percent hike in honorarium in favour of 2417 Rehbar-e-Khel (ReK) physical education teachers of the Youth Services and Sports Department.

Earlier a High Powered Committee under the Chief Secretary constituted for the purpose in the year 2021 recommended a hike in honorarium at 50 percent in favour of these ReKs.

The enhancement of honorarium in favour of ReKs would encourage them for further promotion and popularisation of sports activities in the schools of J&K.

Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar; Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; and Principal Secretary to LG, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari attended the meeting.