Much to the relief of Punjab doctors awaiting their appointment letters after making it to the merit list, the Punjab and Haryana high court, on Friday, vacated its stay on the appointment of 345 medical officers a month ago.
However, the bench headed by justice Tejinder Singh Dhindsa clarified that the state should keep the posts vacant for the 17 petitioner doctors so that if they were found eligible in the merit, they could also be appointed. These doctors had approached the high court against the state government's decision after they were not considered for appointment since they had not completed the required internship at the time of selection.
The directions were issued on a petition filed by seven doctors who were eligible for appointment but had to suffer because of the 17 doctors, including Dr Arunpreet Kaur, who had approached the high court earlier. The high court had put a stay on issuance of appointment letters since the state government had failed to file its reply in the court even after two-three adjournments in the case.
During the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, the state counsel requested the court to vacate the stay. The bench was told that the 17 doctors were not considered for appointment as they cannot be treated as degree holders because as per rules they had to complete their internship at the time of selection to be considered as degree holders.
{{/usCountry}}During the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, the state counsel requested the court to vacate the stay. The bench was told that the 17 doctors were not considered for appointment as they cannot be treated as degree holders because as per rules they had to complete their internship at the time of selection to be considered as degree holders.
{{/usCountry}}The case was adjourned to August 13 for final arguments. Counselling, finalisation of selection and issuance of appointment letters to medical officers was scheduled for July 4 to 7.