SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the Assembly that the Government Nursing College at Sopore, established in 2021, is yet to become fully functional due to pending administrative handover and ongoing recruitment of staff, even as 13 posts have already been sanctioned for the institution.
Replying to a Question raised by MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, the Health and Medical Education Department stated that the Nursing College was set up under Government Order No. 233-JK(HME) dated March 24, 2021.
According to the official reply, seven teaching posts and six non-teaching posts — totaling 13 — have been sanctioned for the college.
The sanctioned posts include one Principal, one Associate Professor-cum-Vice Principal, two Assistant Professors, three Tutors, one Section Officer, one Senior Assistant, two Junior Assistants, one Steno (PA to Principal), and other supporting staff.
However, the institution is yet to be formally handed over to Government Medical College (GMC), Baramulla, and continues to remain under the administrative control of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Baramulla.
The government said the physical possession of the nursing college building and infrastructure has not been transferred because the premises are still being used by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for the functioning of the existing Nursing School. This has delayed the operationalisation of the newly established college.
On staffing, the department clarified that recruitment is currently in progress. All sanctioned posts have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for selection of suitable candidates on a permanent basis. The process is expected to be completed following inspection and affiliation procedures by the University of Kashmir.
The government further stated that all necessary formalities for affiliation of the Government Nursing College with the University of Kashmir have been completed by GMC Baramulla.
Regarding infrastructure for students, particularly hostel facilities for those coming from remote areas, the department said the matter will be taken up in the next financial year once the first batch of students is enrolled.
Meanwhile, the Director Health Services Kashmir and the Principal of GMC Baramulla have been directed to resolve the administrative and possession issues in consultation with the MLA Sopore and Baramulla in a time-bound manner to enable the formal functioning of the college.
The Health and Medical Education Department said the steps are aimed at ensuring that the institution becomes operational at the earliest to strengthen nursing education capacity in north Kashmir.
