Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 9: State Government today informed the High Court that out of sanctioned strength of 1521 Medical Officers in the Medical Department, 809 are on deputation and court directed for immediate relieving of these doctors and their posting within 10 days.
The direction upon the Government came after court has been informed by the Commissioner Secretary to Health and Medical Education Department who was present in the court that hundreds of doctors have undergone Registrar-ship, Demonstrator-ship and Senior Residency within and outside the State as also various Medical Officers are pursuing super specialty courses within and outside the State.
“Without waiting for further orders from the court, it shall be incumbent upon the Heads of Medical Colleges and Institutions to relieve all those doctors, who have completed the tenure of Registrar-ship/Demonstrator-ships/Senior Residency”, directed Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
Court has also been informed that 809 Medical Officers against the sanctioned strength of 1521 Medical Officers are either on deputation to other departments and institutions or undergoing various training courses.
Court after these facts by the Commissioner/Secretary expressed serious concern over functioning of the health sector in the State and as such sought details from the Health Department about all those doctors, with their status and position, who are presently on deputation outside the Health Department.
“These details are sought so as to ensure that public does not suffer further on account of their absence from the department having reference to their ‘permissible or impermissible deputation’ by the department”, Justice Magrey said.
Court further mentioned that these details are sought from the authorities so as to ensure that only those doctors are deputed for undergoing these courses ‘to the limit’ which is permissible under rules.
Court directed the Commissioner/Secretary to submit the personal affidavit before the court indicating therein the ‘details of MOs and consultants who are on deputation on account of undergoing various training courses’ adding with ‘Details of MOs and consultants, who are on deputation to other departments with reference to their period of deputation and sanctioned strength of those posts to be filled by deputation’.
Court also observed that ‘big slot of doctors is not available in Health Department on account of their deputation and etcetra and further directed the Commissioner Secretary to furnish the details in the shape of his personal affidavit, of those doctors who have migrated from Kashmir with their place of posting within or outside the State.
Court directed the Principals of both Medical Colleges and Director SKIMS, in compliance of these directions shall file personal affidavit giving details of the doctors who have been relieved. “Commissioner/ Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education Department, shall ensure posting of all those doctors, who are or have been relieved in Health Department within a period of 10 days”, court added.
Court has also been apprised about the recent termination of 100 doctors from their services who were on unauthorized absence from duty and its has been submitted before the court that these posts have fallen vacant consequent upon termination orders as such these posts shall be referred to ‘Recruiting Agency’ to be filled up accordance with rules.
Court being satisfied with the approach adopted by Commissioner/Secretary Health and Medical Education Department said his personal appearance is not more required as such exempted him from further personal appearance.
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