Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, July 16
Aimed at addressing the acute faculty shortage in government medical colleges, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State Government to revive the regular appointment of Dr. Subhash Chand as Professor of Orthopedics at Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Chamba.
The judgment was passed by a single bench of Justice Sandeep Sharma on July 7, and a copy was circulated to the media today.
Dr. Chand, who was selected through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) in 2019 and offered regular appointment on May 23, 2019, could not join within the stipulated 15 days due to personal issues, including matrimonial disputes. Although his appointment was cancelled, he later submitted multiple representations requesting revival, citing exceptional circumstances and faculty shortage at the college.
Despite the Special Secretary (Health) recommending revival on grounds of public interest, the HPPSC declined to concur, asserting that no extension in joining was granted and the revival was time-barred. However, the court disagreed with this reasoning.
Justice Sharma, in his detailed order, highlighted that Dr. Chand has been serving on a contractual basis for over five years and that the Department of Orthopedics at the college continues to face a 19.6 per cent faculty deficiency. The court observed that “no prejudice would be caused” if the petitioner’s appointment is revived, especially when the post has not been filled on a regular basis till date.
Quashing the July 5, 2023 communication that denied regularization, the court termed it “absurd” and directed the government to revive Dr. Chand’s appointment order within four weeks.
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