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'MBBS NRI quota is fraud, what are we doing to our education system?' SC strikes down Punjab govt appeal

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 24 Sep 2024, 10:42 am

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed the Punjab government's appeal against a high court order that trashed amended rules to avail admission to MBBS courses through NRI quota.

The apex court said the NRI quota system in college admissions was a fraud.

In a notification on Aug 20, the Punjab government widened the definition of an NRI candidate. It made provisions for relatives of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) eligible to seek admission to the MBBS course under this quota.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court junked this notification, observing that this "opens the door for potential misuse".

During the Supreme Court hearing on Monday, the Punjab government's counsel said that Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were following a broad definition for NRI quota admissions. "HP, UP, Chandigarh, everyone is following the definition which I am saying... so only I am under (a) narrow definition," he said.

To this, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said: "You are saying the nearest relation of NRI will also be considered. What is this? just a money-spinning tactic by the state."

The bench, also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala, backed the high court order.

"We must stop this NRI quota business now! This is a complete fraud. This is what we are doing to our education system," the Chief Justice said.

"Look at the result. Those who got marks three times high won't get admission," he added. Justice Pardiwala said all the applicants are from India. "They are just relatives, tai (aunt), taau (uncle), chacha, chachi."

He said the court will not support something that is "blatantly illegal".

There are about 185 NRI quota seats in Punjab's medical and dental colleges.