JKSA seeks VC’s intervention as ₹13.7 lakh paid by nursing students remains unadjusted at Adesh University  

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday sought urgent intervention from the Vice-Chancellor of Adesh University, Bathinda, over a serious financial and academic grievance affecting 145 Nursing students (Batch 2022), following the abrupt cancellation of their mandatory psychiatric posting at Dr. Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital, Amritsar.

In a formal representation, the State Coordinator of the Association, Sheikh Salman, stated that the psychiatric posting was cancelled by the university administration citing security concerns in the border region. However, despite the cancellation, approximately ₹13.7 lakh collected from the students for the posting has neither been refunded nor adjusted, forcing students to bear the financial burden for a programme that was never conducted.

Highlighting an administrative lapse, Salman pointed out that the decision to proceed with the posting was taken despite prevailing government advisories cautioning against movement in sensitive areas. He stressed that students cannot be penalised for a cancellation necessitated by the administration’s own decision-making and flawed risk assessment, noting that such actions undermine basic principles of fairness, accountability, and student welfare.

The Association further noted that the Principal of the institution, Shridhar KV, had given a clear assurance to students that the fees would be adjusted when the next batch was sent for psychiatric training. However, after more than two months of silence, the administration has reportedly declined the students’ legitimate claims, a move JKSA described as a breach of institutional commitment and trust.

Raising concerns over financial transparency, Salman said that the Director of Dr. Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital has expressed willingness to reschedule the psychiatric posting. Despite this, a lack of coordination and responsiveness at the level of the Registrar or Deputy Registrar has stalled any resolution. The Association warned that retaining or refusing to adjust public money for services not rendered raises serious questions about financial propriety and governance within a public-facing educational institution.

He also underlined the academic implications of the delay, stating that prolonged uncertainty over mandatory clinical postings could adversely affect students’ training, evaluations, and future professional prospects. The Association emphasised that many nursing students come from modest backgrounds and are already under immense academic and financial pressure, which is being compounded by administrative apathy.

Urging immediate corrective action, JKSA appealed to the Vice-Chancellor to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities to either coordinate with the hospital to reschedule the training and adjust the fees as promised, or authorise an immediate refund of the unutilised amount if rescheduling is not feasible. The Association has sought a resolution within three working days, warning that failure to do so would compel it to escalate the matter to higher authorities, including the Ministry concerned, in the interest of justice and student welfare.