Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 26: The High Court today directed the authorities to hold the elections for the formation of State Dental Council (SDC) in accordance with its rules.
The direction has been passed by the court of Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar while deciding four writ petitions in a combined order, directing the authorities to constitute the Dental Council by holding elections within two months in terms of Section 4 of the Rules of 2004.
During the course of proceedings State counsel M I Dar (AAG) submitted before the court that State Government is going to take steps to hold the elections for the formation of Dental Council.
These writ petitions were filed by the Dentists for directing the respondents to constitute the State Dental Council strictly in accordance with and in the manner prescribed under Dentists Act of 1948, read with the J&K State Dental Council Rules of 2004 by holding elections as provided under the Act and the Rules.
Petitioners, in these writ petitions, had also challenged various orders of Government as also the notification purportedly issued by Registrar/Secretary J&K Dental Council (respondent No. 8) inviting applications for registration of Dental Hygienists and Dental Mechanics and such kind of other order issued by the Government of J&K regarding the nomination of any member or office bearer to the J&K State Dental Council.
Prayer was also sought for prohibiting and restraining the respondents, particularly respondent No. 8 from acting in any manner as Registrar/ Secretary J&K Dental Council as, according to the petitioners claim, respondent No. 8 is a self-styled Registrar and has issued the Government orders which are challenged in these petitions, alleging that he is not a competent person to hold said position and he is using the power and is acting arbitrary and in a manner prohibited under law.
The respondents, court said, have taken action to remove the respondent No.8 which is evident from Government order No. 336-HME of 2016 dated 07.06.2016. It is stated that notification issued by respondent no. 8 in his capacity as Registrar/ Secretary of the Dental Council has been rescinded.
“After much labour on the part of petitioners and persuasion by the learned counsel for the respondents, it appears that the State has woken from slumber and has taken action to remedy the situation as a follow up”, read the order.
Follow our WhatsApp channel