SRINAGAR, Dec 9: In light of ongoing controversies surrounding reservation policies, medical students organized a sit-in protest on Monday, expressing their concerns over what they deem excessive reservations for NEET-PG this year. The students are advocating for a 75 percent merit provision from 2018 for the open merit category. They gathered at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar holding placards, highlighting that the reservation for open merit has plummeted to just 27 percent due to the newly instituted reservation policy.
Speaking to the media, a student mentioned that only two seats are available in the Pulmonology specialization, and the numbers for Radiology and Medicine are also inadequate. He emphasized that NEET PG determines the level of competency required for specialization courses.
The student pointed out that SRO 49 established the criteria for specialization assignments for PG courses, which had set a 75 percent quota for the open merit category, now drastically reduced to 27 percent. He criticized that since 2018, only 27 percent of reservations are available for better-ranked practitioners in the MD and MS lists, raising concerns about the future of capable doctors.
“Where will competent doctors go?” he questioned, expressing anxiety over their prospects. The students voiced that the government is jeopardizing their futures.
“This is an injustice to us, compelling us to take our grievances to the streets,” they stated. The protesters are urging Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate action regarding their demands.
The students highlighted that the reservation issue extends beyond employment; it significantly affects NEET PG candidates in medical colleges seeking admission to MD and MS programs. Another student remarked that while open merit students previously had a 75 percent quota for these programs under SRO 49, the new policy favors students from various categories.
“With only 27 percent reserved for open merit students, where will we go? Justice needs to be served,” she asserted. She further warned that admitting PG students with lower scores into MS and MD programs could adversely impact the healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protesters also noted that this reservation policy uniquely affects Jammu and Kashmir. (Agencies)
