HC allows appointment of 729 lab technicians

PRAYAGRAJ: Allahabad high court has allowed the UP government to appoint 729 lab technicians in various districts as they are required in high numbers to facilitate testing of Covid-19.

Justice SS Shamshery modified the earlier stay order passed on a petition filed by Namit Kumar Pandey and eight others.

However, the court made it clear that such appointments will remain subject to final outcome of the petition.

While allowing appointment on the posts, justice Shamshery observed, “Considering subsequent developments due to Covid-19 pandemic and the importance of the lab technicians for testing, this Court is of the view that State be permitted to fill remaining 729 posts of the lab technicians. However, their appointments shall remain subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.”

The court has fixed July 13 as the date for final hearing in the case.

Earlier on August 26, 2019, the court had passed the order that the impugned result on 729 posts of lab technicians shall be kept in abeyance till the final disposal of the writ petition.

The petitioners’ plea was that 921 posts of lab technicians were advertised by the UP Subordinate Service Commission, Lucknow.

Later, many candidates, who did not have qualifying eligibility, were selected on many such posts, the petitioners contended.

During the hearing, additional advocate general Neeraj Tripathi, appearing on behalf of the state government, submitted that there was an acute paucity of lab technicians in state government hospitals required to conduct tests which had increased manifold during the prevailing situation due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Counsel for the petitioners opposed the modification in the stay order and requested that petition be finally decided on merit. However, Tripathi and counsel for successful candidates opposed the request.