The list was to be finalised and released tomorrow. However, the court has restricted the government from releasing the list and directed it to first consider the representation of three doctors, who have claimed that they were not given extra ten per cent marks for working in rural public health centres.
A vacation bench of Justices R P Sondurbaldota and M S Sancklecha was hearing a petition filed by Priti Ingle and two other doctors, who are serving in public health centre in Akola and Nanded districts. According to their plea, they are desirous of seeking admission to the post graduate medical courses in seats earmarked for in-service candidates.
As per the rules framed on November 16, 2000 by the government incentive marks would be given to the in-service candidate, who rendered services in rural areas.
However in June 2010, the government came out with a list of "difficult and extremely difficult" areas while considering grant of incentive marks. The centres where the petitioners' are working were not recognised in the list.
According to the petitioners, they had already rendered their services and hence were covered under the rule made in the year 2000.
The bench questioned the government as to why it had given incentive marks to candidates in the previous two years but refused to do so this year. Directing the government to hold back the final list of selected candidates, the court has asked the Director of Health Services to give the petitioners a hearing.
The matter has been kept for further hearing on June 18.