SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The controversial 1,000-odd recruitments in the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim has come under the radar of the High Court of Bombay at Goa (HC) that in its recent observation emphasised these appointments are “subject to the final order” into a petition challenging the illegal appointments.
Activist Shailendra Velingkar, son of veteran RSS functionary Subhash Velingkar, had earlier this year filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging scam in the recruitment process of posts in the State-run hospital. The PIL stated that the recruitment for 1,371 posts in multiple categories is “illegal and unconstitutional”.
During the hearing, Advocate Gaurish Agni, appearing for the petitioner informed the High Court that Velingkar will in the course of the next 10 days file an application seeking leave to sue the appointees in the representative capacity by invoking the principles to be found under Order 1 Rule 8 of CPC.
Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice R N Laddha observed, “Since the appointments have already been made, we make it clear that such appointments will be subject to the final order in this petition.”
The Bench also asked the State government to make this position clear to all the appointees, so that they do not claim any equities.
Velingkar, in his petition seeking justice for the deserved candidates, alleged that the recruitment process flouted all norms of process and was carried out in an arbitrary and secretive manner as majority selected candidates hail from Sattari, represented by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane.
The PIL further objected to the appointment order issued for 30 multi tasking staff (MTS) in GMCH since it flouted several recruitment laws in issuing letters to the candidates, who again are mostly from Sattari.
The PIL seeks various reliefs for the public in general against the illegal and discriminatory recruitment drive while claiming that it not only deprived deserving candidates of their rights but also disturbed the spirit of democracy and damaged the social fabric.
