STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, comprising Rajinder Singh Dogra (J) and Ram Mohan Johri, on Saturday disposed of the Original Application filed by Dr. Abbas Ahmed and another, directing the Health & Medical Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir to consider the applicants’ case for regularization of their services.
The Tribunal ordered the department to examine whether the applicants were eligible for regularization under the guidelines set forth by the Madras High Court Judgment in the case Dr. R. Venkattaraman Vs. State, dated November 9, 2022. Additionally, the department was directed to release the applicants’ unpaid salaries within eight weeks. The applicants, who served as Dental Surgeons in District Ramban, were initially engaged as volunteer doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They were part of a list of 378 volunteers forwarded by the Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), Jammu & Kashmir to the Director Health Services for deployment as required during the pandemic. The applicants argued that despite working without hindrance or interruption in their roles as Dental Surgeons, they were being deprived of their right to have their services regularized.
In their Original Application, the applicants, represented by Advocate Dinesh Singh Chauhan, sought regularization of their services based on the Supreme Court’s judgment dated April 30, 2022 in the case Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3 of 2021 (Re: Distribution of Essential Supplies and Services During Pandemic).
They also referenced the Central Government Notification dated May 3, 2021, which called for the regularization of services of professionals engaged during the pandemic.
The State-Respondents were represented by Sudesh Magotra, AAG. The Tribunal’s ruling underlines the government’s obligation to address such claims in light of judicial pronouncements and existing notifications aimed at recognizing the contributions of healthcare workers during the pandemic.