HC seeks roadmap to fill 346 vacant faculty posts at GMC Srinagar

17/09/2026

Jammu, Sep 16: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has expressed concern over deficiencies in government healthcare infrastructure, noting a "glaring mismatch between efforts/declarations of the State and the actual result" and pointing out that 346 of 620 sanctioned faculty posts at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar are vacant.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal made the observations while hearing CPPIL No. 3/2017 in PIL No. 21/2015, a continuing public interest matter concerning medical facilities in government hospitals.
The Bench was informed that several issues remained unresolved despite repeated affidavits filed by the authorities and directions issued by the court. Amicus Curiae Ajay Sharma, assisted by Advocate NaveedNaik, particularly highlighted the availability of PET scan machines and the shortage of oncologists in government hospitals.
The amicus submitted that despite repeated affidavits, various court directions and prescribed timelines had not been complied with in their proper perspective, affecting the intended relief to the public.
The government submitted that continuous progress had been made since 2016, but certain time-bound matters could not be completed as repeated advertisements for recruitment of doctors had failed to fill the vacancies, resulting in an ongoing shortage of medical professionals.
After examining the earlier orders and affidavits, the Bench observed that there was a "glaring mismatch between efforts/declarations of the State and the actual result".
Referring to GMC Srinagar, the court noted that against a sanctioned faculty strength of 620 doctors, 346 posts were vacant. The Bench said the issue required "immediate attention" and stressed the need to augment medical faculty in a time-bound manner to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in relation to PET scan facilities, oncologists, other doctors and allied medical services.
The court directed the Commis-sioner, Health & Medical Education Department, Civil Secretariat, Jammu, to remain present on the next date of hearing with complete and consolidated information. The Commissioner has been asked to submit a chart indicating the number of PET scan machines installed in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during the past 10 years, along with details of machines proposed to be installed under future plans.
The chart is also required to provide a brief description of the existing and proposed machines and a time-bound framework for their installation.
The Bench further sought a detailed chart on the shortage of doctors, including the total sanctioned strength in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the number of functional posts and the timeline for filling the remaining vacancies.
The directions came as the court continued its monitoring of healthcare infrastructure, with emphasis on concrete data and time-bound action rather than general statements on progress.
Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, assisted by Advocate Malvika Gupta, appeared for the respondents, while Deputy Solicitor General of India Vishal Sharma, assisted by CGSC Karan Sharma, appeared in the matter. The court also directed DSGI Vishal Sharma, who was appearing for the Union Territory of Ladakh, to facilitate filing of the requisite affidavit.
The matter has been listed for September 22, when the Bench is expected to consider the consolidated information on PET scan facilities, doctor vacancies and the proposed timelines for filling the posts.

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