High Court directs Delhi Govt to expedite appointment of ASHA workers in Chilla Khadar Locality on Yamuna Bank
The court was hearing a plea filed seeking the appointment of two trained ASHA workers or health workers to register pregnancies, distribute medicines, prepare a micro birth plan, etc., in the Chilla Khadar locality located on the Yamuna Bank, where 4250 people reside.
Keeping in view the vacancies, a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad of the Delhi High Court has recently directed the Delhi government to "expedite the appointment" of ASHA workers in 'Chilla Khadar locality' on the Yamuna Bank.
The court also directed the government to conclude the process of appointment, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within six weeks.
The bench was hearing a plea by one Chhote Lal seeking the appointment of two trained ASHA workers or health workers to register pregnancies, distribute of medicines, prepare a micro birth plan, etc., in the Chilla Khadar locality located on the Yamuna Bank, where 4250 "vulnerable population" reside. Lal also sought directions from the respondents to provide a list of vacancies of all ASHA workers in the national capital and a time-bound plan for filling up the posts.
The Union of India and Delhi government filed an affidavit stating that an ASHA worker was already appointed and the process for selection of another one had been initiated, however, the affidavit was filed in 2016. It stated that the ‘Chilla Khadar’ area is covered by a mobile van, operating from Maternity Home Patparganj under the supervision of one Doctor and one ANM on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The affidavit also stated that ASHA, who is already selected and working, has been assigned to DGD Mayur Vihar Phase-I and according to the information provided by the District ASHA Nodal Officer, she has received ASHA Kit items, which include the bag (with the NRHM/ASHA logo), the basic drugs, IEC Kit, Diary and any other required logistics such as Suspension weigh machine, baby blanket, baby warm bag, LED Torch, and ASHA coat.
The counsel for the petitioner stated that both the ASHA workers have been appointed in respect of the particular locality. He requested that the present petition be disposed of with directions to the respondents that in case ASHA workers have not been appointed, the same may be done as expeditiously as possible keeping in view the vacancies as shown in the affidavit filed by them.
Taking note of the submissions, conclusively, the court said, “In light of the aforesaid, the instant petition is disposed of with a direction to the Respondents to conclude the process of appointment of ASHA workers, if the same has not been done, as expeditiously as possible, preferably within six weeks from today”. Accordingly, the court disposed of the petition.
Case Title: Chhote Lal v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.