SRINAGAR: Students from the Government BSc Nursing College Jammu, formerly the Government Nursing College Gandhinagar, have raised fresh demands for refunds of excess fees charged during admissions in 2021. The issue, affecting students admitted through the JKBOPEE Entrance Test, has remained unresolved despite multiple appeals and assurances.
The students were charged Rs 70,000 for APL candidates and Rs 50,000 for BPL candidates, far exceeding the fee structure set by the Health and Medical Education Department. Following widespread protests and official interventions, excess fees collected from students in other government nursing colleges across Jammu—such as those in Gangyal, Akhnoor, Reasi, Udhampur, and Kishtwar—were refunded. However, students of the Gandhinagar College were excluded on the grounds that their institution was then under the Higher Education Department, despite being listed under JKBOPEE during admissions.
In 2022, the college was transferred to the Health and Medical Education Department and merged with the Government Nursing College Gangyal. Despite this, students from Gangyal received refunds, while those from Gandhinagar were left out. Affected students have called this decision discriminatory, pointing out that they were relocated from their originally chosen institution and merged into another, which had been their second preference during counselling.
The students argue that the fee structure and admission process were identical across government colleges, making the selective refund policy unjustifiable. They have consistently pressed for a resolution, highlighting that their grievances have been ignored for years and urging the government to ensure equitable treatment.
In response to renewed appeals, the government has reportedly taken note of the issue. Officials have assured the students that the matter will be addressed, promising a swift resolution to what they acknowledge as a genuine concern. Students remain hopeful that the intervention will finally bring long-overdue justice.
