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Time of India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Anganwadi worker posts not civil jobs, no reservation mandate: Karnataka high court
Bengaluru: The Karnataka high court has upheld the state govt's position that anganwadi worker posts are honorary in nature and are not bound by the reservation roster applicable to civil service positions. The court passed this judgment while dismissing a petition filed by Vijaylaxmi, a Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicant from Indi taluk in Vijayapura district. The petitioner had applied for the anganwadi worker post at Agarakhed-5 centre in Indi taluk, and challenged the absence of ST reservation in the recruitment notification dated Oct 9, 2024. She argued the state's current policy denied equitable opportunity to marginalised groups and was inconsistent with reservation norms followed in civil services. Vijaylaxmi sought to nullify the notification and demanded a review of the reservation policy for anganwadi workers, pointing out that very few ST candidates from her region had been appointed in previous rounds. Her contention was that denying community-specific quotas in village-level childcare centres violates constitutional principles of social justice. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The state defended its policy, stating anganwadi workers are not appointed as govt employees, but as honorary workers tasked with providing basic nutrition and early education to children at the village level. Since they are expected to serve the entire local community, including all castes and religions, their appointment does not follow the civil service reservation roster. Further, the state govt argued the posts are non-permanent and community-integrated, requiring individuals who can garner trust across social groups rather than being selected through caste-based quotas. Justice MI Arun observed that anganwadi workers do not hold a civil post and hence, cannot expect recruitment processes akin to govt services. The court clarified that the petitioner was not disqualified from applying and could still be selected on merit under the general category. Dismissing the petition, the court stated anganwadi appointments, being honorary, follow a different set of rules and priorities. It concluded that while social inclusion is important, the nature of such posts justifies an approach distinct from that of formal govt jobs. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
HC stays State Government's order to suspend Janaushadhi centres in government hospitals
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued a stay on the state government's order to suspend Janaushadhi centers located within government hospital premises. The government had previously directed these centers to cease operations, a move that sparked widespread protests. In response, 16 petitioners approached the High Court challenging this decision. Today, during hearing before Justice MI Arun, the court temporarily ordered that the Janaushadhi centers remain open until further notice, preventing their suspension for the time being. The petitioners argued that setting up Janaushadhi centers involves significant expenditure to provide basic healthcare facilities. They also emphasized that these centers offer medicines at highly discounted rates, ranging from 50% to 90%, which greatly benefits the common people. The petitioners' lawyers contended that the government's order to shut down these centers infringes on the fundamental right of access to affordable medicines. The High Court, hearing these arguments, issued the interim order to keep the centers operational until the next hearing. It is noteworthy that the government's order was limited to suspending Janaushadhi centers within government hospital premises under the jurisdiction of the State Health Department. The order had already been implemented at the district level, leading to the closure of these centers in various government hospitals. This decision faced strong opposition from the public and opposition parties, including the BJP, who argued that shutting down these centers, especially those providing medicines at low cost to the poor, was unjustified. There were calls for the government to withdraw its order. Additionally, the government has prohibited doctors in government hospitals from advising patients to purchase branded medicines externally. This policy aims to prevent hospitals from recommending or facilitating the purchase of medicines outside the hospital premises, aligning with the government's healthcare strategy. The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry (IPI) oversees Janaushadhi centers, and the government had previously instructed the Department of Health to take necessary actions to suspend centers operating in government hospitals, following contractual regulations. The department was also directed not to approve applications from 31 centers currently under review. However, the High Court has now intervened to halt these actions. This development indicates ongoing legal hurdles to the Karnataka government's efforts to regulate and potentially shut down Janaushadhi centers within government medical facilities.
