Case: State Of J &amp; K Vs. Vichar Kranti International

been extracted above, proceeded on the basis that the circular also regulated government medical doctors engaging in self-employment or other activities. It was urged that the rules governing private practice by government doctors were not placed before the Court. Hence, without considering those rules, the High Court has issued a blanket direction erroneously on the basis that the circular of 11 August 2005 also covered the services of medical doctors.4. Section 13 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets and Other Provisions Act 1983 stipulates that no public servant, whether on leave or in active service, shall practice any profession or carry on any trade or business, directly or indirectly or undertake any other employment without the previous permission in writing of the Prescribed Authority. In exercise of powers conferred by Section 16(2)(b) of the Act, the State Government issued a notification, bearing SRO-156 dated 23 April 1984 permitting private practice by government doctors, subject to its terms. The permission granted by the above notification for government doctors, engaging in private practice was withdrawn by government orders dated 31 May 1986 and 05 June 1986 (Government order no. 340-GR-HME of 1986). Subsequently, on 23 January 1987, the State Government issued SRO-42 to regulate the conduct of private practice by government doctors. The above rules were challenged before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in Sukesh Chander Khajuria v. State and Ors. By a judgment and order dated 14 February 1994, a Division Bench of the High Court dismissed the Writ Petition, observing as follows:“27…..Whether private medical practice should be allowed to doctors in Government service or not is a policy matter. Policy decisions have to be taken by the Executive and not by Courts. Courts can only indicate the legal position. The legal position is that the State has power to ban private practice as well to allow it.When it will allow and when it will ban it is for the Government to decide and not for the Courts. “Subsequently, by a notification dated 04 August 1995, the Jammu and Kashmir Government Doctors (relaxation of restrictions on private practice) Rules 1987 were rescinded. Once again on 23 April 1998, a fresh government order – SRO 132 was issued by the State Government formulating rules for regulating private practice by government doctors.5. There is merit in the contention which has been urged on behalf of the State Government that the High Court proceeded erroneously on the basis that the circular dated 11 August 2005 which was impugned before the High Court, dealt with the issue of whether government doctors should be permitted to engage in private practice. Plainly, the circular dated 11 August 2005 was issued by the Education Department and applied exclusively to officials in schools engaging in private assignments outside school hours. The circular had no application to government doctors. The regulation of private practice by government doctors is the subject matter of separate rules framed by the State Government. Neither were those rules under challenge before the High Court nor did the High Court had the benefit of evaluating the rules before it proceeded to decide the case.6. In the circumstances, we are of the view that there is merit in the grievance of the State Government in regard to the correctness of the view which has been formulated by the High Court. The High Court was not apprised of the relevant statutory rules which govern the field. An order of remand would hence be necessitated to enable a fresh consideration of the issue by the High Court.7. Quite apart from the issue of whether government doctors should be allowed to engage in private practice, there are other and, perhaps more fundamental aspects which would arise from the Public Interest Litigation that was instituted before the High Court. The basic issue which requires to be addressed is the availability of infrastructure and facilities in government hospitals across the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the facilities for the treatment of patients. The respondents would be at liberty to move an appropriate application before the High Court for amending the Writ Petition to adduce pleadings and for claiming appropriate reliefs in that regard. However, independent of that, we are of the view that the quality of medical care in government hospitals across the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter which should receive attention and oversight in the exercise of the jurisdiction under Article 226. In particular, we emphasise the following issues which would require careful scrutiny and such remedial directions as may be necessitated on the basis of the material which may become available to the High Court. The areas of concern include:(i) The availability of adequate infrastructure in government hospitals;(ii) The availability of essential equipment for treatment;(iii) The availability of staff-medical, para medical and of a supporting nature;(iv) Enforcement of conditions of hygiene to secure proper medical treatment facilities; and(v) The availability of essential medicines.8. The Respondents have placed on the record a report of the Estimates Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on unprecedented neonatal/infant deaths which took place in January-May 2012 in GB Pant (Children) Hospital, Srinagar. We would commend to the High Court the need for constituting a Committee of Experts to scrutinize the conditions in public-government hospitals in the state. The High Court would be at liberty to constitute a Committee of medical experts and administrators. The Committee shall submit a report on the state of public - government hospitals in the state and covering among other things, the areas which have been emphasised above. The High Court would be at liberty, after scrutinizing the report of the Expert Committee and upon hearing the relevant stakeholders including the state, to issue appropriate directions and monitor compliance. The hospitals which are conducted by the state and by public agencies cater to medical needs of the poorest strata of society. The need for ensuring proper medical care of a requisite standard has to be duly addressed.

Decision (1 = appeal accepted, 0 = rejected): 1

Explanation:
1[ds]6. In the circumstances, we are of the view that there is merit in the grievance of the State Government in regard to the correctness of the view which has been formulated by the High Court. The High Court was not apprised of the relevant statutory rules which govern the field. An order of remand would hence be necessitated to enable a fresh consideration of the issue by the Highrespondents would be at liberty to move an appropriate application before the High Court for amending the Writ Petition to adduce pleadings and for claiming appropriate reliefs in that regard. However, independent of that, we are of the view that the quality of medical care in government hospitals across the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a matter which should receive attention and oversight in the exercise of the jurisdiction under Article 226. In particular, we emphasise the following issues which would require careful scrutiny and such remedial directions as may be necessitated on the basis of the material which may become available to the High Court.would commend to the High Court the need for constituting a Committee of Experts to scrutinize the conditions in public-government hospitals in the state. The High Court would be at liberty to constitute a Committee of medical experts and administrators. The Committee shall submit a report on the state of public - government hospitals in the state and covering among other things, the areas which have been emphasised above. The High Court would be at liberty, after scrutinizing the report of the Expert Committee and upon hearing the relevant stakeholders including the state, to issue appropriate directions and monitor compliance. The hospitals which are conducted by the state and by public agencies cater to medical needs of the poorest strata of society. The need for ensuring proper medical care of a requisite standard has to be duly