Supreme Court notice to Punjab govt over Alleged Illegal Recruitment of 312 Doctors
New Delhi: While considering a plea alleging illegal recruitment of 312 doctors in the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) held during 2008-2009 period, the Supreme Court recently issued notice to the Punjab Government, seeking its response.
Although the Court on September 30 issued notice and directed the State Government to file its response within four weeks, it declined to halt the selection and promotion processes citing the delayed filing of the Special Leave Petition (SLP), Hindustan Times has reported.
The plea was filed by a Government Doctor serving under the Punjab Health Department. He challenged the Punjab and Haryana High court's decision of disposing of the said case in 2023.
In its order dated 20.12.2023, the HC bench had observed that after the appointment of those concerned 312 doctors, no complaint was made against the doctors regarding their work and conduct and therefore there was no requirement to give further directions.
As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, an SIT formed by the High Court in a 2014 report had highlighted blatant irregularities during the entire recruitment process. In the report, the SIT had stated, "Evidence shows that members of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), with the active and aggressive involvement of SK Sinha, the then-chairman, decided from the outset to undermine the entire selection process for PCMS doctors in 2008-2009, making selections based on whims, nepotism, and favouritism. Thus, the entire recruitment of 312 doctors in two phases during those years was tainted with blatant irregularities."
Challenging the High Court's decision, the petitioner doctor argued before the Supreme Court that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had failed taking into account the SIT's report highlighting 'blatant irregularities' during the selection process.
In the report, the SIT had also noted that several selected candidates belonged to the families of influential individuals. HT has reported that back in December 2023, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered the case against the then PPSC Chairman and four ex-members, including the BJP leader Anil Sarin, for their involvement in the irregularities during the recruitment of these 312 medical officers.
Further, the State Health Department had referred the matter to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) last year for action against the same 32 doctors who had been found using forged certificates of social work.
However, as per the daily, the same Health Department has reportedly initiated the process of promoting these doctors and has already published a provisional seniority list.
Now the matter will be heard by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has already notified the process of promoting these doctors, including those 32, who had secured the job on allegedly 'forged' social service candidates.
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