New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Tuesday minced no words in criticizing a notification issued by the West Bengal government, according to which the state-run hospitals would avoid allocating night shifts to women doctors, saying that women do not want concessions, but equal opportunities.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra emphasized that it is the state government’s duty to provide security to the women doctors. The apex court was informed that the notification was issued against the backdrop of the rape-murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the West Bengal government before the apex court.
The CJI, taking a strong exception to the notification, said the state government must roll back the decision and allow the women doctors to work at par with their male counterparts.
The bench said this direction would prejudice the careers of the women doctors and directed the state to amend the notification.
"How can that be (women doctors cannot work at night)? Women do not want concessions, but equal opportunities... women doctors are willing to work in all conditions. They must work in all conditions... state of West Bengal has to correct it”, said the CJI, adding that women are ready to work in the same shift.