Implement recommendations of Committee on working conditions of nurses in private hospitals: HC to Delhi Govt

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi government to implement the recommendations of a Centre-appointed committee on working conditions of nurses employed in private hospitals of the city..The committee had recommended several welfare measures, including a minimum wage of Rs 20,000 for nurses working in hospitals with less than 50 beds..A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and C Hari Shankar heard a petition filed by Indian Professional Nurses Association, seeking the compliance of the Supreme Court’s judgment in Trained Nurses Association of India v. Union of India with regard to the working conditions of nurses in private hospitals and nursing homes..The Supreme Court had ordered the Central government to form a committee to look into the grievances enlisted by the Trained Nurses Association and to make recommendations that could ultimately be given the form of a legislation..The grievances mentioned by Association included unequal remuneration in private and government hospitals and insisting of bonds from nurses by hospital, among other issues..The petitioner association had submitted that Entry 26 of List III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution of India included legal, medical and other professions. Therefore, the Centre was authorized to draw up guidelines which would be binding on all states..After hearing all parties, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction to the Delhi government to implement the recommendations of the committee in accordance with law and policy as early as possible and practicable..The petitioner association was represented by Advocate Amit George.