High Court Directs Delhi Govt To Fill Vacant Staff Posts In Indira Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital Within Six Months

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to fill up within a period of six months the vacant posts at Indira Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital in city's Dwarka area, noting that the deficit staff deserved to be recruited as early as possible.

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad also directed Delhi Government's Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department to carry out a periodic review after every 6 months for enhancing the number of beds and also the manpower in the said hospital.

"The hospital in question is catering to the needs of the people in and around Dwarka and there is no other Government Hospital," the Court noted.

The Court disposed of a PIL filed by Dwarka Court Bar Association amid COVID-19 second wave seeking directions on the Delhi Government to complete the construction of the hospital and also to provide all basic amenities, infrastructure and staff.

In the latest status report filed by the Delhi Government in April this year, it has been stated the hospital is fully functional, with 13 specialists being posted by the Health and Family Welfare Department.

The Court was also informed that the General Duty Medical Officers have been posted against all 18 posts in the hospital along with 299 Nursing Officers. Furthermore, it was informed that as many as 1000 patients were being given treatment in the OPD per da and 1406 patients have been given treatment under the emergency services.

"The aforesaid status report also includes the status of manpower engaged by the hospital and against 1204 sanctioned posts, 1013 staff is available," the Court noted.

While directing the Delhi Government to fill up vacant staff posts and to carry out a periodic review after every 6 months, the Court disposed of the plea.

In March this year, the Court had warned of initiating contempt proceedings against officials of the Administrative Reforms Department of the Delhi government, over their failure to comply with its previous direction for expeditious appointments at the hospital.

Earlier, the Court had directed the Principal Secretary of Health of the Delhi Government to personally monitor the progress of the project on a weekly basis and that appropriate disciplinary action must be there for those guilty of any lapse or negligence.

It had also ordered the government to give it a timeline as to when the facility will be functional, which the government would bind itself to and non-adherence to which would give rise to consequences.

Case Title: DWARKA COURT BAR ASSOCIATION v. STATE (NCT OF DELHI) & ORS.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Del) 744

Click Here To Read Order