Safiya Malik

The High Court of Punjab and Haryana Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Punjab, to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the deficiencies in medical infrastructure at District Malerkotla. The Court issued this direction in view of continued shortfalls in specialist doctors and equipment, despite partial staffing updates. The Bench further instructed that the affidavit must include updates on both the ongoing recruitment of Medical Officers and the tender process for the establishment of a Radio Diagnostic Centre in the district.

The matter was taken up in the form of a public interest litigation filed by the petitioner, who appeared in person before the Court. The PIL concerned the state of medical infrastructure and availability of healthcare services in District Malerkotla, Punjab.

Also Read: Supreme Court: “Unregistered Document May Be Received as Evidence of a Contract” in Specific Performance Suit

During the hearing, the State submitted an affidavit pursuant to earlier directions of the Court. It was stated that some vacant positions for doctors in Malerkotla had been filled. However, the affidavit did not clarify whether these doctors were newly recruited or transferred from other districts to cover the shortfall.

The petitioner, during oral submissions, raised the issue that despite recent staffing efforts, there remained a lack of specialist doctors in critical fields. The petitioner specifically stated the absence of specialists in Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Blood Transfusion, Radiology, and Dermatology.

In response to the Court’s earlier instructions, the learned counsel for the State of Punjab appeared on behalf of the government and provided further information based on inputs received from Veerdavinder Singh, Senior Assistant at the Directorate of Health Services Office, Punjab. It was disclosed that the recruitment process for filling 1000 vacancies for Medical Officers (General) had been initiated through an official advertisement dated 25.04.2025.

The Court took note of this development but pointed out that clarity was still required regarding the nature and status of staffing in Malerkotla, particularly whether the new appointments would include specialists in the fields flagged by the petitioner.

In the course of the proceedings, the learned counsel for the State also brought to the Court’s attention a public notice for inviting tenders for setting up a Radio Diagnostic Centre. This centre was proposed to house one MRI and one CT scan machine, indicating an initiative to enhance diagnostic capabilities in the district.

The petitioner maintained that medical infrastructure remained inadequate and restated that the absence of key specialist doctors was placing residents of Malerkotla at continued risk. The petitioner did not dispute the issuance of the recruitment advertisement but questioned whether those efforts were sufficient to address the actual healthcare gaps on the ground.

The Court examined the submissions from both sides and deemed it necessary to seek further clarification from the government on these issues in an official affidavit.

The State counsel was directed to file an affidavit from the Principal Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Punjab. The affidavit is required to specifically address all the deficiencies pinpointed by the petitioner with reference to District Malerkotla’s healthcare infrastructure. This includes the shortage of specialist doctors in the areas of Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Blood Transfusion, Radiology, and Dermatology.

Also Read: Calcutta High Court Slams Railway For Arbitrary Conduct | Failure To Address Grievances And Auctioning Same Parcel Space ‘Terminates Contract By Operation Of Law’

The Court instructed that the affidavit must also contain a detailed update on the recruitment process initiated for 1000 Medical Officer (General) positions, as advertised on 25.04.2025. Further, the affidavit is to include the status and progress of the tender process for establishing the proposed Radio Diagnostic Centre with MRI and CT Scan facilities in Malerkotla.

The tender notice referred to by the State during the proceedings was accepted on record and marked as ‘X’ by the Court for reference.

The matter was directed to be listed next on 17.07.2025 for further consideration based on the affidavit to be filed.

Advocates Representing the Parties

For the Petitioner: Mr. Bhisham Kinger, in person

For the Respondents: Mr. Saurav Verma, Additional Advocate General, Punjab

Case Title: Bhisham Kinger v. State of Punjab and Others

Case Number: CWP-PIL-259-2024 (O&M)

Bench: Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Sumeet Goel

[Read/Download order]