Gauhati High Court directs Health Department to make proposal

AICTE pay scale to teaching staff of homeopathic medical colleges

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court had directed the State Health Department to make a proposal for grant of AICTE pay scale to the teaching staff of the homeopathic medical colleges with justification along with financial implications involved.

A writ petition (WP(C)/6375/2015) was filed in the court in which the petitioners sought that the AICTE scale of pay should be applied to the faculty members of the homeopathic medical colleges of Assam.

Earlier, diploma courses were being conducted in the homeopathic colleges of Assam. However, as on date, degree courses are also being imparted. The report of the Anomaly Committee 2010 also shows that the Health Department is in favour of granting the AICTE pay scale to the faculty members of the homeopathic medical colleges.

In a letter dated 27.06.2022 issued by the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance (PRU) Department to the counsel of the Finance Department, it was stated that the Health & Family Welfare Department being the administrative department, should first take up a policy decision for grant of AICTE pay scale to the postgraduate teaching staff of homeopathic medical colleges with justification and work out the financial implications.

The court observed that the Health and Family Welfare Department would have to make a proposal for grant of AICTE pay scale to the teaching staff of the homeopathic medical colleges, which would have to be scrutinized by the Finance Department and thereafter sent to the Cabinet for approval. However, the Health & Family Welfare Department cannot take a policy decision, as the same is the prerogative of the Cabinet and not the Health Department.

The High Court then directed the Health Department "to make a proposal for grant of AICTE pay scale to the teaching staff of the Homeopathic Medical Colleges with justification along with financial implications involved". The court order further stated, "The proposal should be made within a period of 4 (four) weeks and the same should thereafter be sent to the Finance Department."

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