The future of 64 dentists recruited by the state in January 2007 is at stake as the Government has decided to revoke their contract of service. While the Government claims that “faulty process” was adopted for their recruitment, the doctors are up in arms against the decision. “Who is at fault,” they are asking.

After questions were raised on their appointments, Health Minister Rajiv Bindal had assured of an inquiry into these recruitments. It was on the recommendation of this internal inquiry committee that the Cabinet has decided to terminate their contracts and re-advertise for the vacated seats, along with 22 newly created ones.

According to sources, the inquiry report said it was difficult to point out individual cases where undue favour could have been extended by the selection panel. It was observed that since 10 out of 25 marks were allotted for interview there was certainly a possibility that more marks could have been given to some candidates in interview to increase their chances.

The interview for recruitment of dentists was conducted in January 2007 by the HP Public Service Commission, which tested the candidates on a scale of 25 — 10 for academic qualification, five for experience and 10 for interview. Congress was in power when the recruitments were made.

Dr Rajeev Kumar, general secretary of the Contractual Dental Doctors’ Association, said the decision to remove them was bizarre as the Government had been renewing their annual contracts for the last two years. “It is grave injustice that first our services are being ended and then we will have to apply afresh for recruitment as employees of Rogi Kalyan Samitis of various hospitals,” he said. The doctors have decided to challenge the decision in court.

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