Shortage Of Nursing Staff : PGI Chandigarh Says News Report On 62% Vacancy Incorrect, High Court Seeks Recruitment Rules

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing the suo motu cognizance taken in June “on the basis of news item published in 'Times of India' on 17.06.2025, highlighting the plight of patients and their attendants on account of a substantial shortage of hospital attendants and nursing staff.”

According to the newspaper report, the hospital is facing a severe shortage of hospital attendants, with a staggering 62% of sanctioned posts lying vacant.

During the hearing today, the Senior Standing Counsel Amit Jhanji, representing PGIMER, Chandigarh, produced status report refuting the newspaper report claim that 62% posts are vacant, however certain posts are not filled because no suitable candidates could be found, he added.

“Status report filed by the respondent – PGIMER reveals that there are certain legitimate reasons why posts in the cadres of Nursing Superintendent, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Senior Nursing Officer, Nursing Officer, Public Health Nursing Officer and Hospital Attendants are vacant,” the bench noted.

While listing the matter for July 23, the Court said, “Let the recruitment rules pertaining to all the aforesaid posts be filed by the respondent-PGIMER.”

Mr. Amit Jhanji, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Abhishek K. Premi, Advocate, for the respondent – PGIMER.

Title: Court on its own motion v. PGIMER, Chandigarh through it Director, Chandigarh