The Madras High Court rejected the government’s plea to grant more weightage and marks to those who worked in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas and government hospitals in and around Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, and Ramanathapuram for the forthcoming academic year.
Citing that the state government has not set any criteria for recognizing the areas eligible for PHCs, the judicial bench quashed the plea and directed state government to reorganize the merit list within three days and act accordingly.
State Plans to Appeal Against High Court Order
To encourage and honour doctors who have served in remote areas, the state government has planned to go against the Madras High Court and put a petition in the Supreme Court, told health secretary J Radhakrishnan.
Earlier, the court has stricked down the merit list prepared by the state government based on MCI guidelines. As a measure to encourage the state’s policy to improve rural health, the state is examining the Madras high court’s order and is in consultation with the legal experts on next mode of action.