The Supreme Court, while rejecting a special leave petition, recently reiterated that Ayurvedic/AYUSH doctors cannot seek equivalence with medical doctors. This order was passed keeping in mind the qualitative distinction between degree qualifications and the criteria for awarding each degree course.
“We are satisfied with the fact that Ayurvedic and AYUSH doctors practicing in the state of Kerala cannot seek parity with medical doctors in view of the qualitative differences in degree qualifications and criteria for awarding their respective degree courses. ” said the bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.
In making the foregoing observations, the court referred to the court’s previous decisions. Gujarat and Ors. v. PA Dr. Butt and Ors. There, it was determined that allopathic doctors and indigenous medicine doctors did not perform comparable work to the extent that they were entitled to equal pay.
The decision was also mentioned. Central Council for Ayurvedic Scientific Research and Another v. Vikartan Das et al. Therein, it was observed that the officers of CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH, were not automatically entitled to claim parity of retirement age with AYUSH doctors just because they treated OPD and IPD patients.
Case Title: DR.Solamon A vs. State of Kerala, SLP(C) No. 3946/2023
Click here to read the order
