PANAJI
The High Court on Monday sought a response from Director of Health Services Dr Medha Salkar on a petition challenging her appointment to the post. The court gave Dr Salkar and the Goa government two weeks to file their replies.
The Division Bench was hearing a petition filed by senior health officer Dr Saleena Naik, who has challenged the State government’s July 31 order appointing Dr Salkar as Director of Health Services.
Dr Salkar is currently holding the additional charge of DHS while continuing as Chief Medical Officer.
In her petition, Dr Naik contended that the appointment violated the applicable recruitment rules and overlooked the claims of eligible senior officers.
She claimed that she was the senior-most eligible officer and should have been considered for promotion to the post. She alleged that the government bypassed the prescribed promotion process while appointing Dr Salkar.
The petition has sought the quashing of the appointment order and a direction to the State government to appoint Dr Naik as Director of Health Services. It has also sought an interim stay on Dr Salkar’s appointment until the case is finally decided.
