The Karnataka High Court on Friday permitted 76 more nursing schools that had obtained approval from the State Government surpassing the Karnataka State Nursing Council (KSNC), to make admissions for 2007-08. The Court, however, directed 62 schools out of these to adhere to the reduced intake prescribed by KSNC in view of the shortage of tutors and other infrastructure facilities.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice BS Patil passed the order during the hearing of suo motu PIL initiated by the HC with regard to the pathetic condition of nursing institutes in the state. The Court considered a report filed by KSNC and modified its earlier order of April 24, 2007, which had restrained admissions to 512 Government-approved nursing schools, pending recognition by KSNC.

Misleading
The Court ordered notices to the managements of two unrecognised nursing institutions in the city which were said to have placed ``misleading’’ advertisements for admissions to nursing courses.

The Court observed that Stella D Maria College of Nursing and Manju College located in Vijayanagar had placed an advertisement in a Malayalam periodical inviting applications for admissions to its nursing courses with assurance of recognised certificates from KSNC. While on a query, it was found that neither they were registered with KSNC nor had they suitability certificates from the Indian Nursing Council. Another advertisement placed by SET Nursing College & School located on Kaggadasapura Main Road, in an English daily saying it had recognition from the State govt while in fact it did not have, was also brought to the Court’s notice. The Court ordered notices to these institutions directing their principal or administrative officers to appear before it at the next hearing and explain as to why action should not be initiated against them.