The State government is looking at ways to amicably resolve the divide between two factions of nursing college managements on the issue of recognition from the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Earlier this week, after a section of managements approached the High Court, the court declared that the INC had no authority to grant recognition to institutions imparting nursing courses. The court had restrained the INC from publishing on its website that institutions have to obtain recognition from it.
However, another section of nursing college associations is insisting on INC recognition.
Speaking after a meeting with chairman of the INC, Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil said: “We are hoping to arrive at a common ground to resolve the issue as per law as students are anxious. We do not want confrontation.”
Vinu Thomas, general secretary of the Karnataka Pravasi Congress, who is part of another nursing college delegation, said that they would approach the apex court against the verdict of the High Court. “We cannot let the interests of students suffer. If our colleges do not have INC approval, these students will not have a degree that is valued globally. Their job prospects may reduce,” he said.
Dr. Patil, however, said they would evolve a formula so that the job prospects of these nursing students are not affected.