JOIN USThe Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to set up an expert panel within four weeks to examine the grievances of nurses employed by the nursing homes and private hospitals.
A three-judge bench presided over by Justice A R Dave also told Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to act on the recommendations of the panel within six months to ensure that nurses were not exploited in the country.
The court directed the Centre to lay down the criteria for their recruitment after a PIL filed by Trained Nurses Association contended that around 3 lakh nurses were forced to fill a bond at the time of employment and they were not paid even the minimum wages under the National Minimum Wage Act, 1948.
An advocate, representing the Indian Nursing Council, submitted that the practice of forcing nurses to execute bonds has been abolished. Mehta, on his part, agreed the grievances made by the petitioner were genuine and could be addressed.
“We expect the Central government would look into the grievances after examination of the matter by an expert panel and act on the recommendation within six months,” the bench, also comprising Justices Shiva Kirti Singh and Adarsh K Goel, said, disposing of the PIL.