Himachal HC Slams Govt Over 15-Year Vacancy at Dental College

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has come down heavily on the State Government for leaving a crucial teaching post at the Government Dental College, Shimla, vacant for nearly 15 years. The delay, the court noted, stems from the government’s failure to finalise the Recruitment and Promotion (R&P) Rules, despite repeated directions from higher courts.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, while hearing three connected petitions, pointed out that the vacancy for a Lecturer in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics has remained unfilled since 2010 — even after the Supreme Court in 2013 categorically ordered regular appointments to be made.

The Petitioners’ Plea

The petitions were filed by Dr. Rajesh Thakur, Dr. Neha Sharma, and Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, who sought promotion based on seniority, qualifications, or years of service. They argued that the government’s proposed method of filling the post was arbitrary and unfair.

Rules Stuck in Limbo

The court traced the problem back to 2006, when R&P Rules were first framed. These were scrapped in 2009 as the State switched to tenure-based appointments. Later, the government assured the Supreme Court it would revert to regular recruitment after drafting fresh rules. But correspondence between the Health Department and the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) revealed that the absence of updated rules had stalled the process for years.

Reservation Norms Applied

In its affidavit, the State clarified that the vacancy has now been sent to HPPSC as a Scheduled Caste (SC) category post. Since none of the petitioners belonged to the reserved category, the court ruled they were ineligible for consideration.

Court’s Strong Words

Justice Sharma dismissed all three petitions but directed the government to finalise the R&P Rules within four weeks and ensure the appointment process moves forward strictly in line with reservation norms and statutory requirements. He remarked that administrative indecision spanning more than a decade cannot be justified and must not be allowed to continue.