The NRI quota system in college admissions was nothing but a fraud, the Supreme Court said today as it dismissed the Punjab government's appeal against a high court order that junked amended rules to avail admission to MBBS courses through this quota.
The Punjab government had, in a notification dated August 20, widened the definition of an NRI candidate and made relatives of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) eligible to seek admission to the MBBS course under this quota. The Punjab and Haryana High Court shot down this notification, observing that this "opens the door for potential misuse".
In the Supreme Court today, 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.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud replied, "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."
The Chief Justice said, "What is a ward? you just have to say I am looking after X." He said the court cannot back something that is "blatantly illegal".
There are about 185 NRI quota seats in Punjab's medical and dental colleges.
Featured Video Of The Day
Ambedkar Row: Congress Doubles Down After BJP's Soros Edit Of Protest Pic
Delhi Imposes Complete Cracker Ban, Top Court Asks Haryana, UP To Do It Too Supreme Court Extends Stay On Defamation Case Proceedings Against Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi Supreme Court Calls Pension To Retired High Court Judges "Pitiable" Video: Rahul Gandhi Approaches BJP MP Who Fell During Protest, This Happens Pakistan Tries To Arm-Twist China Over Gwadar Port. The Plan Backfires. Congress VS BJP Showdown Over Amit Shah's Remark On BR Ambedkar Delhi Restaurant Worker Fights With Colleague, Kills Him With Dumbbell Pakistan Tries To Arm-Twist China Over Gwadar Port. The Plan Backfires. Brother Missing After Mumbai Boat Tragedy, Man Makes Rounds Of Hospitals Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.