Photo Courtesy: Image by Bruno from Pixabay | For representational purpose only
Kohima, February 16 (MExN): The Nagaland In-service Doctors Association (NIDA) has slammed the State Cabinet’s decision to keep “on hold” the regularisation of COVID-19 appointed doctors through a one-time dispensation and Special Recruitment Drive (SRD).
In a statement issued on February 15, NIDA said that while it appreciated the State Government’s earlier decision to recognise the services of COVID doctors through the SRD, it viewed the subsequent development with serious concern.
It is “appalling” that the regularisation process, after having been duly completed and upheld by the Gauhati High Court, has been put on hold and a High-Powered Committee (HPC) constituted, it stated.
NIDA further termed that the action, reportedly taken following an ultimatum issued by the Naga Students' Federation, amounts to contempt of the High Court’s judgment.
Unprecedented health emergency context
Highlighting the background of the appointments, NIDA stated that the COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented health emergency, during which even the Epidemic Diseases Act was invoked to manage the crisis.
While the association had consistently flagged shortage of doctors prior to the pandemic, it said the situation escalated into a severe crisis as healthcare workforce came under intense strain, raising concerns of a possible collapse of service delivery.
According to NIDA, the State Government was compelled to create exigency posts for doctors and other healthcare personnel to address the emergency. It claimed that following a “distress” call from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, several young Naga doctors who were employed in reputed institutions outside the State resigned from their positions to serve in Nagaland.
The association maintained that many of them made personal and professional sacrifices in doing so.
NIDA described the COVID-appointed doctors as experienced professionals and termed them an asset to the State’s healthcare system.
The Association also contended that governments have, in the past, recognised individuals who rendered extraordinary service or brought laurels to the State through appointments and other forms of recognition, including Olympian.
In this context, it argued that that Covid warriors deserves not only regularisations but even bravery awards for putting their lives on the line fighting the pandemic tirelessly.
Chronology of events
According to NIDA, recruitment during the pandemic was conducted through open advertisement, as the prevailing circumstances were not conducive for the normal recruitment process under the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It stated that selection was based on scrutiny of merit, experience and interviews by a duly constituted board.
It further maintained that the exigency posts created during the pandemic did not encroach upon regular vacancies arising from retirement.
Of the 511 sanctioned posts of doctors in the Health Department, inclusive of COVID-created posts, 396 are currently filled, including COVID appointees, NIDA stated. While 30 posts are under the NPSC recruitment process, 85 posts remain vacant.
With continued demand for services, the Government extended the tenure of the COVID-appointed doctors and assured an SRD in recognition of their services, NIDA said, adding that the NPSC had no objection to the Government proceeding with the SRD.
When the SRD process was initiated, some doctors approached the Gauhati High Court challenging the move. NIDA claimed that the High Court, in both the writ petition and the appeal (WP(C)/187/2024 and WA/25/2025), held that the SRD did not suffer from arbitrariness or discrimination and directed the State to proceed.
It also cited that while admitting a Special Leave Petition, the Supreme Court of India clarified that it would not affect appointments already made.
It further pointed out that some of the litigants had refrained from serving during the pandemic, while others were not medical doctors and, therefore, were not similarly situated, questioning their locus standi in the matter.
Compliance and further course of action
Accordingly, NIDA expressed surprise that the NSF chose to protest what it described as a legally sanctioned procedure that had already been examined by the Gauhati High Court.
Despite two High Court judgments in favour of the SRD and regularisation, the association termed the State Cabinet’s decision “unfortunate” and stated that such a move could undermine the authority of judicial pronouncements and create administrative uncertainty.
Thus, NIDA urged the Cabinet to withdraw the “on hold” clause, stating that the ambiguity has led to confusion at lower administrative levels and could affect healthcare service delivery. It also expressed hope that the matter would be viewed in the broader context of the pandemic and the circumstances under which the appointments were made.
The association stated that, in compliance with the High Court’s directions, the COVID doctors have completed the process of regularisation and joined the department through due procedure. It added that they are now regular bona fide members of NIDA, which remains committed to safeguarding their welfare.
In this connection, NIDA stated that if its members are subjected to any “further humiliation,” the Association would be “compelled to take democratic measures deemed fit to address any untoward outcome”
An Emergency General Body Meeting will be convened shortly to deliberate on the course of action, with the date, time and venue to be notified in due course, it added.
