'Distant Relatives Of NRIs Can't Get Quota Benefits For Admission To Medical Colleges': Supreme Court

Supreme Court dismissed the Punjab government’s appeal against the high court order rejecting the widening of the NRI quota decision by the state government. While rejecting the appeal against the High Court order, SC says distant relatives of NRIs can’t be granted quota benefits for admissions to medical colleges.

Via a notification released on August 10, the Punjab government widened the definition of NRI candidates and made relatives of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) eligible to seek admission to the MBBS course under the quota.

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The Punjab government’s counsel argued that the Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments are also using the broader definition of NRI quota admissions. While putting the information in the court the counsel said, “HP, UP, Chandigarh, everyone is following the definition which I am saying… so only I am under (a) narrow definition”.

CJI DY Chandrachud objects to the broader definition and inclusion of nearest relatives of NRI in the definition calling it a money-spinning tactic by the state. “You are saying the nearest relation of NRI will also be considered. What is this? Just a money-spinning tactic by the state”, CJI said. He also said that the court can not back anything that is ‘blatantly illegal’.

The bench comprised of CJI and Justice JB Pardiwala opposed the state government’s move and backed the High Court order. The bench said that the NRI quota business must stop now. It called the business a complete fraud.

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The Chief Justice mentioning the status of the education system and those who can not get admission even after getting higher scores, said, “Look at the result. Those who got marks three times high won’t get admission”.

Justice Pardiwala said that all the applicants seeking admission through this broad definition of the quota system are relatives including tai (aunt), tau (uncle), chacha, and chachi.

Notably, there are about 185 NRI quota seats in Punjab’s medical and dental colleges.