Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the respondent authorities to submit a fresh status report indicating the progress made on the ground in a long-pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning healthcare gaps and deficiencies across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal passed the direction while hearing connected PILs—PIL No. 2/2018, PIL No. 37/2013 and PIL No. 16/2018 which seek to address the healthcare crisis in Jammu and Kashmir.
The High Court noted that the Public Interest Litigation filed by Citizens Forum Jammu has been pending since 2018 and aims to address serious concerns relating to the healthcare system in the Union Territory. It further observed that numerous affidavits have been filed by the respondent authorities from time to time pursuant to earlier orders passed by the court.
During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Advocate S S Ahmed, appearing along with Advocates Supriya Chouhan and Zulkarnain Chowdhary, drew the attention of the court to the suggestions and response filed by him in PIL No. 16/2018 in terms of earlier orders dated February 21, 2024 and October 28, 2024.
The suggestions placed before the court indicated district-wise staff strength of Medical Officers in Jammu Division, besides details regarding non-gazetted and Class-IV employees in Jammu as well as Kashmir province. The Amicus had also submitted multiple suggestions to effectively address the concerns and grievances raised in the petitions.
Appearing for the respondent authorities, counsel sought time to place the latest position before the court. The Division Bench granted one week’s time to file a status report indicating the progress, if any, achieved on the ground so far.
The court also directed that the report must disclose the steps taken by the authorities in terms of the suggestions submitted by the Amicus Curiae for addressing healthcare-related deficiencies in J&K.
The matter has been adjourned and listed for further consideration on May 20, 2026.
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