The Karnataka high court on Thursday pulled up medical education minister Ramachandra Gowda in a case on the appointments of non-teaching staff in Hassan and Mysore medical colleges. The case entered the court after the state government cancelled the appointments following allegations of irregularities.
The court expressed its displeasure at the affidavit filed by the minister, which claimed that the selection process was transparent and adhered to rules on merit and reservation (roaster).
However, additional advocate general KN Natraj contradicted the minister’s claim, by submitting that many candidates were given grace marks and, hence, meritorious students had lost the opportunity.
The court said the affidavit filed by the minister did not have the details it had sought. “We wanted to know when the selection list came before you and what was on your mind. As the chairman of the governing council, what were you doing?” the justice asked.
The court wanted the government to ensure that the untainted candidates — those selected on merit — continued in their jobs.
Justice Ram Mohan Reddy directed the government to segregate untainted candidates from the rest of the appointments and furnish a report by Monday or, alternatively, withdraw the orders cancelling the appointments of those who were not tainted. “Let the meritorious students at least go and work. Why should they suffer?” the judge asked.
