SRINAGAR, Aug 22,2025 : The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has relieved Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Rather of the additional charge of Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, following directions from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).
As per the official order, Dr. Poonam Sethi, I/C Deputy Director (Schemes), Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, will now hold the charge on a temporary basis. The arrangement is subject to ongoing litigations and does not grant any preferential right to regularization or promotion.
The development follows a legal challenge by Dr. Sethi, who alleged favoritism in Dr. Rather’s transfer. In July 2025, CAT had ruled Dr. Rather “ineligible” for the post under the J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted) Service Recruitment Rules, 2013, which allow appointments only through promotion or direct recruitment within the service.
The Tribunal criticized the Health Department for delaying Departmental Promotion Committee meetings, leading to a shortage of eligible officers, and emphasized that “administrative convenience cannot override statutory provisions.” The decision was later upheld by a Division Bench of the J&K High Court.
