SC dismisses plea against PGI staff

Chandigarh, January 11

In a relief to PGI employees, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed the special leave petition (SLP) filed by the Centre against the PGI Medical Technologists’ Association, paving the way for the non-faculty staff to get time-bound promotions under the assured progression scheme.

The Centre had challenged the judgment of the High Court, dated May 28, 2018.

Ashwani Munjal, general secretary, PGI Medical Technologists’ Association, said the Central Administrative Tribunal had earlier accepted 28 of their 29 demands in its judgment, dated July 10, 2013.

With the dismissal of the plea, the PGi staff is likely to get time-bound promotions. It has cleared the way for the implementation of the Dr Prabhakar Committee report on the restructuring of the technical staff. Senior non-teaching employees will get patient care allowance.

“The non-faculty staff had been forced to resort to protests for their genuine demands due to which patients faced harassment. Ultimately, our stand has been vindicated after over two decades. However, we feel that politicians may create hurdles, again,” said an employee.— TNS