Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 6: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Jammu Bench, has stayed a recent order of the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department that barred certain doctors from engaging in private practice across the Union Territory.
A Bench comprising Member (J) Sanjeev Gupta and Member (A) Pragya Sahay Saksena apassed the interim order while hearing an application filed by Dr. Raj Kumar and others, who are aggrieved by Government Order No. 509-JK(HME) of 2025 dated July 28, 2025.
The applicants, through their counsel - Senior Advocate Abhinav Sharma assisted by Advocate Vishal Sharma - submitted that the order was passed without affording them any opportunity of hearing or issuance of show cause notice, thereby violating principles of natural justice. They also contended that the government wrongly designated them as "Medical Officers" in the order, while they were actually working as Consultant Surgeons.
The government's order, which took immediate effect, was issued on the grounds of alleged unethical referrals by the doctors to private empanelled healthcare providers (EHCPs) during their tenure at government hospitals in Hiranagar, Vijaypur, and Samba.
Appearing for the respondents, Additional Advocate General Sudesh Magotra accepted the notice.
After hearing both sides, the Tribunal observed that a prima facie case for intervention was made out. It directed that the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed qua the applicants until the next date of hearing, which has been fixed for September 23, 2025. (JNF) |
