Kozhikode, PTI
A female nursing officer, whose appointment at the Government Medical College in the area faced delays, finally began her service on Sunday, six days after the expected date. This situation had drawn strong criticism from both the Congress and the BJP towards the ruling Left government.
On March 1, the Kerala High Court ruled that the nursing officer, P B Anitha, should be appointed to a vacancy at the Kozhikode Medical College starting April 1. Anitha had petitioned the High Court after being transferred to the Government Medical College in Idukki in January. She alleged that this transfer was in retaliation for her testimony in support of a woman who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a hospital employee.
While Health Minister Veena George cited a report from the Department of Medical Education (DME) regarding a ‘supervisory lapse’ by Anitha, the High Court found no evidence of disciplinary action against her. It deemed her transfer as punitive rather than administrative necessity.
Initially, when Anitha arrived at the hospital on April 1, she was informed that there was no official order for her appointment. This prompted her protest, supported by Congress and BJP, against the Left government. However, responding to the criticism, the minister announced on Saturday that Anitha would be appointed, pending final orders from the High Court.
