Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has ordered the Assam government to build a formal service cadre for community health professionals. Justice Soumitra Saikia told the state to fast-track the work of a dedicated committee. This panel now has 90 days to hand in recommendations on pay scales, benefits, and job advancement.
The push comes after petitioners argued their professional status slipped after the state shifted them from rural health practitioners to community health professionals. These workers finished their training under the 2004 Act and faced uncertainty after the 2015 law took over. They wanted the state to protect their rights and set up a clear employment structure.
The state argued these workers are already protected under current laws. However, the court disagreed with limiting their scope. It noted that the government cannot stop these workers from doing their jobs just because of a label change.
The court pointed out that most of the country lives in villages. It stressed that trained hands must be available to help people there. The ruling stated that such professionals should be utilized alongside practitioners of allopathic, ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine wherever the state considers it necessary.
This decision validates the diplomas and experience gained under the older 2004 Act. The government must now define eligibility and service rules for the new, independent cadre.
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