The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Tamil Nadu government to fill the super specialty medical posts reserved for in-service candidates in government colleges in the next 15 days.
“In respect of the current academic year, we find that Tamil Nadu must have permission to fill the seats under Government Order 462 dated November 7, 2020,” the bench headed by Justice BR Gavai ordered.
The November 2020 government order provides 50% reservation for in-service candidates.
“On the 16th day from today (December 2), Tamil Nadu shall inform the Union Government of all the seats remaining vacant from the in-service category, which will be allowed to be filled by the Center on the basis of the all-India merit list,” the court ordered.
The state, represented by Additional Solicitor General Amit Anand Tiwari and Advocate Joseph Aristotle, approached the court. Senior advocate P. Wilson represented the candidates in service.
The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, complained that the number of seats reserved for in-service candidates could not be filled.
Ms. Bhati argued that super specialty medical seats are valuable and a national asset. They should not be allowed to remain empty. The lawyer said the center has not allowed any reservation in operation on an all-India basis.
Tamil Nadu has argued that it has every right to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure through super-specialty healthcare providers.
“Therefore, providing posts for the aspirants who have to serve in rural areas ensures that the public in rural, remote, and hilly areas will have access to quality healthcare,” the state reasoned.
Tamil Nadu reported spending about ₹15,863 crores on health, of which about ₹5,623 crores was spent on medical education.
With the Supreme Court allowing the Tamil Nadu government to reserve 50% super-specialty seats for NEET-qualified job candidates, the Association of Service Doctors and Post-Graduate Doctors and the Tamil Nadu Medical Association urged the Tamil Nadu government to speed up the recruitment process. and conduct counseling.