The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has raised concerns about the appointment of medical officers in the state following the publication of a list of candidates for the post of General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) by the Tripura Public Service Commission (TSPC).
The THRC has recommended that the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department put on hold the appointment of candidates who scored 30 or less in the recruitment examinations out of a total of 100 marks. This recommendation comes after it was reported that several candidates on the list of 216 selected candidates scored very low marks, ranging from 14 to 21 out of 100.
THRC Chairman Justice (Rtd) Arindam Lodh expressed concern that appointing candidates who scored below 30 could jeopardize the right to appropriate healthcare of citizens, which is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of India. He emphasized that the appointment of such candidates could potentially put the lives of the citizens at risk.
In an order issued on August 14, Justice Lodh recommended that the appointment of candidates who scored 30 or less be kept in abeyance until further notice. The commission has also requested reports from the TSPC and the Health and Family Welfare Department regarding the selection process and the criteria used to determine suitable candidates.
The THRC is particularly worried about the future prospects of the health services in Tripura and believes that the state government has an obligation to provide quality healthcare to its citizens. The commission has set a deadline of August 26 for the submission of the reports from the relevant departments.
Overall, the THRC is advocating for transparency and accountability in the selection process for medical officers to ensure that the citizens of Tripura receive the best possible healthcare services.
