Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 3: Observing that the post of principal of Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, is a selection and not a promotional post, a division bench of the high court today directed government to appoint the principal on regular basis within eight weeks.
"The post of principal of GMC, Srinagar, is of considerable public importance and has to be filled up on regular basis in accordance with rules," the bench comprising of Justice M H Attar and Justice A M Magrey said and directed state government through Chief Secretary to fill up the post on regular basis in accordance with rules within a period of eight weeks from today.
"For filling up the vacancy of Principal on regular basis, all eligible candidates shall be considered. The present arrangement whereunder Dr Kaiser Ahmad, the appellant, who has been asked to look after the post of principal, shall continue only for eight weeks from today," the bench said.
The bench also observed that the post of GMC principal was a selection and not a promotional post and as such merit shall prevail.
The bench also directed that Dr Javed Chowdhary should be assigned job commensurate to his status and no impediment shall be caused in the discharge of his duties.
Dr Kaiser had challenged the single bench's order on December 31 last year whereunder the government was directed to fill up the post on regular basis within a period of four weeks by having regard to the rule position.
"It is noticed that the impugned order is simply a temporary arrangement making it clear that it shall not create any right, interest or equity in favour of Dr Kaiser. Nonetheless, the impugned order does not indicate as to why the senior most professor has been ignored in making the temporary arrangement," a single bench of Justice J R Kotwal had observed and directed that the government order regarding Dr Kaiser shall stay and that the government shall make fresh temporary arrangement in which seniority shall prevail.
The December 31 order was passed by the court on a petition filed by Dr Javed Chowdhary who had laid claim to the post being the senior post professor in the faculty of GMC. |
