Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The appointment of Dr Medha Salkar as Director of Health Services has come under judicial scrutiny after a petition was filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa alleging that the government overlooked the prescribed recruitment process and promotional hierarchy.
The petition has been filed by Dr Saleena Naik, who has challenged the government order issued on July 31 assigning Dr Salkar charge of the Director’s post. The State of Goa, the Health Department, the Directorate of Health Services, the Department of Personnel, and Dr Salkar have been named as respondents.
In her plea, Dr Naik argues that the recruitment rules clearly identify a specific feeder cadre from which appointments to the post of Director of Health Services must be made. According to her, only Deputy Directors and Medical Superintendent-cum-Deputy Directors are eligible for promotion to the position.
She contends that Dr Salkar, who is serving as a Chief Medical Officer, does not belong to the notified feeder cadre and therefore could not have been considered under the existing rules.
The petition further states that the decision has undermined the official seniority list issued on May 18, as the petitioner claims to be the senior-most officer eligible for promotion under the applicable service rules.
Dr Naik has also questioned the manner in which the appointment was made, stating that the July 31 order does not explain the basis for departing from the established recruitment procedure or provide reasons for overlooking eligible officers within the feeder cadre.
The petition argues that while the government has administrative powers, those powers must be exercised within the framework of statutory rules and cannot be used to bypass the prescribed promotion process.
Seeking judicial intervention, Dr Naik has asked the High Court to set aside the appointment order and direct the authorities to fill the post in accordance with the recruitment rules. She has also requested interim relief, including a stay on the operation of the July 31 order until the matter is finally decided.
