Doctors' strike: Hearing put off by eight weeks

The division bench bench comprising of Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit has observed "We expect the Government to take a conscious decision. Except this we cannot ask them to take decisions under Article 226. "
During the hearing, Senior Counsel Dr Ravi Varma Kumar, appearing for the doctors pointed out that not much is done by the State Government, despite the 23 June, 2009  order to come up with concrete proposals to fill up vacancies, there is not much progress.

He submitted that out of the 6,227 posts of Government Doctors, about 2,000 are vacant .
“No decision has been taken to fill them up nor there is an invitation extended to Association of Doctors for this, the last time we went to strike , the court tool suo-moto cognisance and our mouths were gagged, " he said.
Advocate General, Ashok Haranahalli submitted that the increase of stipend, recruitment of staff and other things have been recommended and the state cabinet will have to take a decision and assured the bench that it will happen soon.
It could be recalled that the court had directed the state government to place before it within two months a comprehensive proposal in connection with the problems faced by Government hospitals and doctors.

The report shall will deal with pay disparity, filling of vacancies, inclusion of geriatrics, suitable amendments to improve service conditions and effective utilisation of the services of doctors, the bench had said.

Pension scheme
The High Court has directed the State to come with a special scheme evolving reasonable pension and retirement benefit to the shanbhogues, whose position has been abolished during Karnataka Village Officers Aboliton Act 1961.
Hearing a petition by the State Government, challenging the Karnataka Adminstrative Tribunal order dated March 24, 2003 stating that shanbhogues, who have been continued as village accountants are entitled for pension and other benefits, the division bench headed by K L Manjunath has directed for this special scheme.

The shanbogues contended that the Village Patels have been paid Rs 1000, while they have to be satisfied with half of it.
The matter has been adjourned.