Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 3: The State High Court today directed the Government to fill up the post of Principal Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar within eight weeks on regular basis in accordance with the rules.
The Division Bench of High Court was hearing a Letters Patent Appeal which was filed by GMC, Srinagar Principal, Dr. Kaiser Ahmad Koul, challenging the order of High Court bench whereby State Government was directed to fill up the post of Principal Government Medical College, Srinagar on regular basis and in case it was not done then interim arrangement made shall seize to be in power.
The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while deciding both LPA of Dr Koul and writ petition of Dr. Javed Chowdhary, who claims to be the meritorious candidate for the post, with the direction to Government to fill up the post of Principal on regular basis.
“The respondent State through CS is directed to fill up the post of Principal GMC, Srinagar on regular basis in accordance with rules with eight weeks from today”, directed the Court.
Court during the proceedings rapped the Government with the observation that you (Government) always believe in ‘adhocism’ and “do it according to rules”. Court further said the post is of considerable public importance and has to be filled up on ‘regular basis following the rules’.
Court also made it clear that while filling up the vacancy of Principal GMC on regular basis all eligible candidates shall be considered with further direction that Dr. Koul shall look after the post of Principal only for eight weeks from today.
Court further directed the Government to assign the job to Dr. Chowdhry appropriate to his status and no impediment shall be caused in discharge of his duties till the post of Principal is filled in accordance with rules.
Dr. Chowdhary’s advocate submitted before the court that his client has rendered 34 years service in the department and is waiting in queue for the post of Principal as per his seniority. State counsel advocate Dar submitted before the court that the Government wants suitable person to be posted as GMC Principal as such it will take some time.
Counsel appearing Dr. Koul advocate Salih Peerzada, however, submitted before the court that the post of Principal is not a seniority post but a selection post. He in support of his arguments referred the recruitment rules of the Medical Education Department.
According to the testimony of documents placed before the court by Dr. Chowdhry about the seniority position in which he figures at Serial No. 2 while as his rival (Dr. Kaisar) hold the position at serial No. 3 and at serial No. 1 Dr. Pampori is holding the position who resigned from the post in question recently.
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