Haryana: Outsourcing of jobs at Government Medical College questioned by HC

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court stating the Government Medical College to be part and parcel of Chandigarh and thus supposed to be creating posts and following the recruitment rules of the Centre, questioned the outsourcing of various posts in the institute. It has asked the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms to file a response for having resorted to such a recruitment methods which violate the law and administrative guidelines.

"It is a government institution and the Government Medical College is not created for a limited period so as to resort for outsourcing employees and employees are engaged in outsourcing by merely paying minimum wages, irrespective of categories of posts. In other words, pay attached to the posts are being denied," the High Court has said in its order passed last week.

The High Court observations have come in response to a writ filed by some hospital Security-cum-Fire Inspectors whose salary was suddenly reduced in 2012-13.

Justice P B Bajanthari, in the order, dated September 22, on observing that the authorities have been "sidetracking" the government policies issued from time to time for the purpose of recruitment and promotions, said, "[The] issuance of executive order for employing employees through outsourcing and not identifying vacancies or posts [has] resulted in mismanagement of fixing the pay of different posts…"

The Director /Principal of the Medical College, Dr A K Janmeja, said he had yet to receive the Court order and was unable to able to comment till then. He, however, confirmed that many posts, including those of Security-cum-Fire Inspectors, are outsourced for the college.

While questioning the authorities on whether the Central government policies were adhered to at intervals, the High Court also observed that the temporary employees committing "any serious misdeeds" could not be initiated action against under the under the Discipline and Appeals Rules.

"They should have framed rules of recruitment in respect of employees of the Government Medical College…Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms is hereby directed to file an affidavit as to why employees for the purpose of running the Government Medical College are being appointed through outsourcing to pay minimum wages and there is no security of appointment," it said reports the Indian Express.