NEW DELHI: The Government has directed State Governments and State Nursing Councils not to impose any discriminatory eligibility criteria such as marital status or physical requirements for admission to nursing courses. The directive was issued after it became evident that many nursing training institutions were denying admission to married women.

The matter was brought to light by Rajya Sabha member N.K. Premachandran during the budget session of Parliament through a special mention. Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss had then assured him that he would look into the matter.

Inquiries by the Health Ministry disclosed that many nursing training institutions had reverted to the 1947 Nursing & Midwives Act, which said that only women who were unmarried, legally divorced or widowed could apply for admission. And a particular height and weight was prescribed as eligibility criteria. Though these conditions were amended in 1986, some training institutions had of late reverted to the old "discriminatory'' order.

Briefing mediapersons here on Sunday, Mr. Premachandran said: "A provision specifying marital status for women violates their right to equal opportunity.''

After examining the issue, Mr. Ramadoss had written to Mr. Premachandran on October 26, informing that no criteria vis-a-vis marital status, weight or height had been prescribed by the INC.

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