Tripura HC has directed TTAADC to appoint senior doctor Dr Bimal Reang as Principal Officer, Health and Family Welfare, Grade-I, within 10 days. The court cited his seniority and ordered authorities to issue the posting order.
The Tripura High Court has directed the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to post senior doctor Dr Bimal Reang as Principal Officer, Health and Family Welfare, Grade-I, within 10 days, citing his seniority over another officer and the applicable rules governing appointments in the council’s Health Services cadre.
A single bench headed by Justice S. Datta Purkayastha issued the direction while disposing of a writ petition filed by Reang, who is scheduled to retire on October 31, 2026. The court instructed the TTAADC authorities to issue the necessary posting order in his favour within the stipulated period and pass an appropriate order regarding the posting of Dr Partha Debbarma, who was named as the fourth respondent in the case.
In its order, the court observed that Reang was senior to Debbarma and was therefore entitled to be posted as Principal Officer, Health and Family Welfare, Grade-I. The court held that he should receive the Principal Officer’s post rather than be placed in the position of Additional Principal Officer.
Reang had approached the High Court challenging a modification order dated January 17, 2023. The order changed his designation from Principal Chief Medical Officer to Medical Officer, Grade-I, following his promotion from Grade-II earlier that month.
According to the petitioner’s submissions, Reang was the senior-most officer in the TTAADC Health Services cadre. Despite his promotion to Grade-I, he was posted at Twikarmo Hospital in Birchandra Manu, where he had previously served as a Grade-II medical officer. Meanwhile, his junior was appointed Principal Officer, Health and Family Welfare, Grade-I.
Reang argued that the arrangement required him to work under the supervision and control of a junior officer who had subsequently retired. He challenged the posting decision, contending that it did not appropriately recognise his seniority and position within the council’s health services.
During the proceedings, the TTAADC submitted that the Tripura Health Service Rules were being adopted by the council and that Grade-I was the highest grade in its Health Services cadre. The council also referred to a memorandum dated October 16, 2023, which specified the designations attached to different posts within its administrative structure.
The High Court examined the relevant orders and the provisions governing the two Grade-I posts in the TTAADC Health Services cadre. It observed that the challenged orders required Reang to continue working as a Medical Officer, Grade-I, at Twikarmo Hospital despite the applicable memorandum governing such postings.
The court stated that the petitioner’s posting needed to be changed immediately. Taking into account the availability of the two Grade-I posts and Reang’s seniority over Debbarma, the bench concluded that Reang should be appointed Principal Officer, Health and Family Welfare, Grade-I.
The order also recorded that Debbarma had not appeared before the court despite service of notice. The bench directed the TTAADC authorities to issue Reang’s posting order within 10 days and take the necessary administrative decision concerning Debbarma’s posting.
| Also Read: Tripura Police Foil 72-Hour Highway Blockade, Two Constables Injured |
With these directions, the High Court disposed of the writ petition.
The ruling places the responsibility on the TTAADC authorities to implement the posting decision within the prescribed timeframe. As Reang is due to retire on October 31, 2026, the court’s direction comes during the final weeks of his service.
