MV MURALIDARAN, J. - (1.) Heard Mr. Hillson Angam, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.N.Kumarjit, learned Advocate General for the State respondents.
(2.) This Public Interest Litigation highlights the grievance of the people of Wangoo Laipham Village, Kakching District, Manipur. The prayers are as follows:- "i) to admit this writ petitioner and issue Rule Nisi; ii) to issue a writ in the nature of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction thereby directing the Respondents to provide adequate manpower viz. (1) one Public Health Specialist, (2) one Public Health Nurse, (3) one General Surgeon, (4) one Physician, (5) one Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, (6) one Paediatrician, (7) one Anaesthetist, (8) one Dental Surgeon, (9) five Staff Nurse, (10) one Pharmacist, (11) one Pharmacist-Ayush, (12) one Laboratory Technician, (13) one Radiographer, (14) one Opthalmic Assistant, (15) one Dental Assistant, (16) one Cold Chain and Vaccine Logistic Assistant, (17) one OT Technician, (18) one Rehabilitation worker, (19) one Counsellor, (20) one Registration Clerk, (21) two Data Entry Operator, (22) one Account Assistant, (23) one Administrative Assistant, (24) one Dresser and (25) two Ward Boys at the Community Health Centre, Wangoo Laipham, Kakching District, Manipur as per the guidelines of the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS), iii) to issue any other appropriate writ or order or direction which the Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case."
(3.) The Community Health centre, Wangoo Laipham Village, Kakching District, Manipur has only 5 Doctors, 5 nurses, 1 health asistant, 1 clerk, 1 technician, 3 group-D staffs and 1 driver in total 17 staff whereas the sanctioned post of 46 staff for the Community Health Centre. Many of the doctors are on leave pursuing post-graduation course. Therefore, there is hardly any Doctor to man the Community Health Centre and therefore, the people of nearby areas are suffering a great deal on account of lack of adequate manpower and also some infrastructure for the Community Health Centre. On 15th July, a representation has been submitted to Hon'ble Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Manipur and the Director of Health Services, Government of Manipur requesting them to provide adequate numbers of Doctors at the Community Health Centre. Despite series of protest and expressing concern in press and media, there is no result. Therefore, the Public Interest Litigation has been field seeking for the above stated relief.;