Supreme Court Directs Centre, States To Ensure Payment Of Salaries To Doctors, Health Workers

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and state governments to ensure that payment of salaries is made to doctors and health workers on time. The Directorate of Health has also been ordered by the apex court to ensure that doctors and health workers have quarantine facilities whether they come under the high risk exposure category or not. The Centre's notification spelt out quarantine facilities for doctors and health workers who fall under the 'high risk' category in terms of exposure.

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that a number of five-star hotels had already been roped in to be turned into quarantine centres for frontline warriors including doctors and health workers. The SG also informed the court that non-payment of salaries to doctors and healthcare staff would invite penal punishment under the National Disaster Management Act (NDMA).

The matter was heard by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan, Justice Sanjay Kaul and Justice MR Shah. The apex court bench had on June 12, directed the petitioners to pass on their suggestions expressing their concerns to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court Bench had listed the matter for hearing today.