Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday dismissed a writ petition filed by Preeti Lotlikar challenging the selection of Antonya Maria Lume Pereira, to the post of physiotherapist in Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim.
The petitioner had prayed for quashing the selection process by the GMC and to quash the appointment of Pereira as physiotherapist (regular post) at the GMC, and to consider the petitioner for appointment to the post of a physiotherapist on regular basis.
The Court did not accept the contention of the petitioner that whilst conducting skill test only two members of the selection committee were present and no subject expert was present. But it expressed its displeasure about the non-attachment of any report of such a subject expert while conducting skill test.
Stating that the purpose of calling a subject expert at the time of skill test is to evaluate the candidates on the said subject, the court observed that the minutes of the selection committee lacked such a report of the subject expert.
Also the signature of the subject expert was not obtained on the minutes of the proceedings, the court said and added that it was necessary for the selection committee to keep a record of the assessment carried out by such a subject expert.
Though in the present matter, the court did not find any such report of the subject expert, it declined to accept the contention of the petitioner that no such skill test was ever necessary.
The job of a physiotherapist is specialised and, therefore, even though the petitioner was having sufficient experience, while considering her candidature for a regular post, it was necessary for the selection committee to evaluate such candidates by conducting skill test.
