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Tribunal orders GMCH-32 to retain registrar on contract
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh bench, has directed Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, to allow its registrar (academics) Sat Pal Singh to continue working on a contractual basis…
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh bench, has directed Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, to allow its registrar (academics) Sat Pal Singh to continue working on a contractual basis until authorities decide his pending extension request. The order was passed on Friday by a division bench comprising member (judicial) Ramesh Singh Thakur and member (administrative) Anjali Bhawra.
Singh had served on deputation before superannuation on November 30, 2020, and was re-engaged on contract from December 23, 2020, under the Chandigarh administration's policy for retired government employees. His contract was extended periodically, but his September 18, 2023 representation for further extension was not decided, and he was orally told the post had been abolished. Authorities denied issuing any official communication abolishing the post and said they intend to fill it through regular recruitment.
The tribunal noted no adverse remarks against Singh and that the post remained continuously occupied by him. It directed the respondents to decide his representation per his appointment terms and the October 9, 2018 policy. Until then, Singh will continue on the same terms. The tribunal clarified authorities are free to initiate recruitment for the post under applicable rules.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The CAT's interim protection keeps a retired employee in place while the hospital decides on his extension request. Under the Chandigarh administration's 2018 policy, contractual re-engagement of retired government staff is discretionary and typically limited to six-month terms. The key legal question is whether a post can be deemed abolished without formal communication and whether an employee occupying it continuously has a legitimate expectation of renewal. GMCH-32 now must either issue a speaking order on Singh's representation or begin regular recruitment, which could take months. The next step is the authorities' decision on the representation, which has no statutory deadline.
Watch for whether the hospital issues a formal order abolishing the post or starts recruitment within the next few weeks.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
