Hearing on PHC staff shortage on January 7

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, December 29

The High Court today deferred the hearing on a petition highlighting the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for January 7.

During the course of hearing, the senior counsel representing the petitioner requested the Bench comprising of Chief Justice L Narayana Swami and Justice Anoop Chitkara to take up the matter for physical hearing the next week. After accepting the request, the court listed the matter on January 7.

In its earlier order, the court had directed the government to file a fresh affidavit mentioning the rules regarding the number of employees to be posted in every community health centre (CHC).

In its earlier order, the court had directed the government to take immediate steps to rationalise the staffing pattern in the PHCs as per the guidelines.

The court had passed these orders on a public interest litigation petition (PIL), highlighting the shortage of medical staff in the PHCs.