State Of Rajasthan v. Private Physiotherapy, Nursing And Paramedical Institution Society, Through Its Secretary Dilip Tiwari,
2024-03-01
MUNNURI LAXMAN, PUSHPENDRA SINGH BHATI
body2024
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT : (Pushpendra Singh Bhati, J.) : 1. Since all the instant petitions involve a common controversy though with marginal variation in the contextual facts, therefore, for the purposes of the present analogous adjudication, the facts and the prayer clauses are being taken from the above-numbered D.B. Special Appeal No.11/2023, while treating the same as a lead case; rival submissions of the parties and the observations of the Court, in the present judgment, would also be based, particularly, on the factual matrix of the lead case. 2. The prayer clauses read as under:- “It is, therefore, respectfully prayed that this special appeal may kindly be allowed and the impugned order passed by learned Single Judge dated 04.11.2022 allowing the writ petition preferred by the respondent/writ-petitioner may kindly be quashed and set aside and the writ petition preferred by the respondent/writ-petitioner may kindly be dismissed. Any other order, which this Hon’ble Court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, may kindly be passed in favour of appellants.” 3. As the pleaded facts would reveal, the Union Legislature had enacted the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 with the object to constitute a Central Council for determination of the standards of the education in nursing institutions, whereafter, the Nursing Council framed the Indian Nursing Council (Revised Regulations and Curriculum for B.Sc Nursing Program), Regulations, 2020 (hereafter referred to as ‘Regulations of 2020’) on 05.07.2021, prescribing a condition that the concerned institution(s)/college(s), so as to become eligible to establish the Nursing Institution/College, should have their own hundred bedded parent hospital(s). 3.1. The State of Rajasthan enacted the Rajasthan Nursing Mid-Wives Health Visitor and Auxiliary Mid-Wives Registration Act, 1964 and constituted the Rajasthan Nursing Council. 4. The bone of contention in the present case is that the State Government issued an order dated 07.06.2022 introducing a policy, wherein a condition was imposed that the Nursing Institution/College sought to be established by the organization/institution, shall have a hundred bedded own hospital of the organization/institution itself. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is also required to be obtained for the new nursing institution/college or enhancement of seats in the existing institution/college, and the pre-requisite for such NOC is that they need to fall under the policy dated 07.06.2022. 4.1.
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is also required to be obtained for the new nursing institution/college or enhancement of seats in the existing institution/college, and the pre-requisite for such NOC is that they need to fall under the policy dated 07.06.2022. 4.1. Subsequently, the appellant-State’s policy dated 07.06.2022 was challenged by filing a writ petition before this Hon’ble Court by the respondent-Institution, and the learned Single Judge of this Hon’ble Court vide impugned order dated 04.11.2022 allowed the writ petition and quashed the condition of 100 bedded own hospital by the Nursing Institutions/Colleges enumerated in the policy order dated 07.06.2022. 5. Dr. Praveen Khandelwal Additional Advocate General on behalf of the appellant-State submits that the condition of hundred bedded own hospital in Policy dated 07.06.2022 has been formulated to curtail the mushroom growth of Nursing Institutions and the entire purpose of the said policy is only to prevent establishment of fake nursing institutions, but the learned Single Judge of this Hon’ble Court did not take into due consideration the said aspect of the matter. 5.1. Learned AAG also submits that the condition in question is for keeping the check on growth of fake institutions that are unable to maintain the required standards of Nursing education in the State. It was further submitted that when an element of public interest is involved in an administrative decision or policy of the State, then the Court may refrain itself to make interference in such policy decisions, and therefore, on that count alone, the impugned order is not justified in law. 5.2. Learned AAG further submits that it is clear that no prescription or condition has been laid down by the State which adversely affects the minimum standards laid down by the Indian Nursing Council (INC), and therefore, the condition of 100 bedded own hospital ensures requisite standards for the organization concerned to run Nursing Institutions/Colleges, and therefore, the quashment of the said condition by the learned Single Judge is not permissible in law. 5.3 Learned AAG also submits that the appellant-State incorporated the condition in question by way of policy dated 07.06.2022 in the State of Rajasthan, so as to maintain education standard in Nursing Institutions/Colleges. Therefore, on that count also, the impugned order passed by the learned Single Judge is not justified in law. 6.
5.3 Learned AAG also submits that the appellant-State incorporated the condition in question by way of policy dated 07.06.2022 in the State of Rajasthan, so as to maintain education standard in Nursing Institutions/Colleges. Therefore, on that count also, the impugned order passed by the learned Single Judge is not justified in law. 6. On the other hand, learned Senior Counsel as well as other counsel appearing on the behalf of the respondents- Nursing Institutions, while opposing the aforesaid submissions made on behalf of the appellant-State, submits that the Nursing institutions/Colleges are having all required infrastructure and other facilities as per the guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council for the purpose of grant of NOC as well as establishment and running of the institution. 6.1. Learned counsel further submits that some institutions have also submitted an application for enhancement of the seats in the institutions, and despite their having a proper infrastructure and other facilities, the appellant-State has not granted them the requisite NOC because of the condition of 100 bedded own hospital mentioned in the policy order dated 07.06.2022 issued by the appellant-State. 6.2. Learned counsel also submits that the condition of 100 bedded own hospital is violative of the eligibility condition laid down by the Indian Nursing Council, and once the condition has been laid down by a Body of the Union, then the State Government has no domain to supersede the said eligibility criteria, 6.3 Learned counsel further submits that aforesaid condition shall clearly have an adverse impact upon the uniform education standards so required in the Nursing Institutions/Colleges of the Country. Therefore, imposition of the condition of 100 bedded own hospital by way of policy dated 07.06.2022 is contrary to Article 246 of the Constitution of India. Thus, on that count alone, the impugned order passed by learned Single Judge is justified in law. 6.4. Learned counsel also submits that the guidelines laid down from time to time by the Central Body i.e. Indian Nursing Council are holding the field of nursing education, therefore, condition imposed by the State Government is not justified in the eye of law and same was quashed by the learned Single Judge. 6.5. In support of such submissions, learned counsel relied upon the judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Apex Court in case of State of T.N. & Ors. Vs Adhiyaman Educational & Research Institution & Ors., (1995) 4 SCC 104 . 7.
6.5. In support of such submissions, learned counsel relied upon the judgment rendered by the Hon’ble Apex Court in case of State of T.N. & Ors. Vs Adhiyaman Educational & Research Institution & Ors., (1995) 4 SCC 104 . 7. Heard learned counsel of the parties as well as perused the record of the case alongwith the judgment cited at the Bar. 8. This Court observes that for establishing new nursing institution or enhancement of the seats in the existing nursing institutions, the concerned organization is required to obtain an NOC from the State/State Body i.e. Rajasthan Nursing Council. The appellant-State issued the policy dated 07.06.2022 imposing a condition of 100 bedded own hospital for the purpose in question, which is a clear contravention of the Regulations of 2020 enacted by the Central Legislature. 9. This Court further observes that the condition of 100 bedded own hospital provided under the policy dated 07.06.2022 was challenged before the learned Single Judge of this Hon’ble Court, and the learned Single Judge vide the impugned order quashed the said condition. 9.1. This Court also observes that the learned Single Judge in the impugned order framed a question for adjudication, which is reproduced as hereunder:- “Whether the State Government can impose a condition of having 100 bedded own hospital to get “No Objection Certificate” for establishment of the Nursing Colleges/enhancement of the seats in such Colleges ?” 10. This Court further observes that the condition of 100 bedded own hospital in policy dated 07.06.2022 is reproduced hereunder:- “(A) futh {ks= esa uohu uflZax Ldwy@dkWyst [kksyus gsrq uhfr ,oa izfØ;k%& & ,sls futh fo'ofo|ky; tks esfMdy dkWyst lapkfyr dj jgs gSa ;k ,slh laLFkk,sa tks esfMdy dkWyst lapkfyr dj jgh gSa vFkok ,slh laLFkk,sa tks Lo;a dk 100 cSM la[;k dk gkWLihVy lapkfyr dj jgh laLFkkvksa dks ekU;rk gsrq vkosnu djuk gksxkA^^ 11. This Court also observes that the condition of 100 bedded parent/own hospital as provided under the Regulations of 2020 enacted by the Central Body i.e Indian Nursing Council, reads as under:- “1. Parent Hospital (Unitary/Single Hospital) College of Nursing should have 100 bedded parent/own hospital which is compulsory requirement. Parent Hospital for a nursing institution having the same Trust/Society/Company which has established the nursing institution and has also established the hospital.
Parent Hospital (Unitary/Single Hospital) College of Nursing should have 100 bedded parent/own hospital which is compulsory requirement. Parent Hospital for a nursing institution having the same Trust/Society/Company which has established the nursing institution and has also established the hospital. OR For a nursing institution (managed by Trust/Society/Company under Section 8), a ‘Parent Hospital’ would be a hospital either owned and controlled by the Trust/Society/Company or managed and controlled by a trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/Company. In case the owner of the hospital is a trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/Company, then the hospital would continue to function as a ‘Parent Hospital’ till the life of the nursing institution. The undertaking would also be to the effect that the trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/Company would not allow the hospital to be treated ‘Parent/Affiliated Hospital/ to any other nursing institution and will be for minimum 30 years (i.e. signed by all trustees/members/directors of Trust/Society/Company) to the Undertaking to be submitted from the trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/ Company. The beds of Parent hospital shall be in one Unitary Hospital i.e. in same building/same campus. Further, the Parent Hospital shall be in the same State i.e. where the institution is located. a) It is to be noted that once a particular hospital is shown as “Parent Hospital” and permission given to the nursing institution to conduct nursing courses, then, the permission/suitability granted would last as long as the said hospital is attached as a “Parent Hospital”. b) In case the trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/ Company withdraws the Undertaking given, in that case even the permission/suitability letter issued would be deemed to have lapsed/stand withdrawn with immediate effect.” 12. This Court further observes that Article 246 of the Constitution of India pertains to “Subject-matter of laws made by parliament and by the Legislatures of the State” ; the said Article confers power for making the laws as per Entry 66 of Union List in Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, which pertains to “Co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.”. This Court also observes the Central Legislature had enacted the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947, and as per the power conferred by Section 16 of the said Act, the Regulations of 2020 were enacted, wherein the condition of 100 bedded parent/own hospital has been incorporated. 12.1.
This Court also observes the Central Legislature had enacted the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947, and as per the power conferred by Section 16 of the said Act, the Regulations of 2020 were enacted, wherein the condition of 100 bedded parent/own hospital has been incorporated. 12.1. This Court further observes that the learned Single Judge held in the impugned order that the policy order dated 07.06.2020 passed by the State Government is an administrative order and it was passed without exercise of the power conferred under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Therefore, the condition of 100 bedded own hospital in policy order dated 07.06.2022 which has changed the criteria, has not been added as a supplementary condition, as rightly observed by the learned Single Judge in the impugned order. 12.2. This Court also observes that even the policy dated 07.06.2022 was introduced in accordance with Entry 25 of Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India, and it was in repugnance with the Law enacted by the Central Legislature, and thus, the law enacted by the State Legislature on the subject is not having an overriding effect. 13. This Court is keeping into consideration the judgments rendered by the Hon’ble Apex Court in cases of State of T.N & Ors Vs Adhiyaman Education & Research Institute & Ors (Supra), and Preeti Srivastava & Ors. Vs State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. (1999) 7 SCC 120 . Relevant portions of the said judgments are reproduced as hereunder: Adhiyaman Education & Research Institution & Ors (Supra): “43. What emerges from the above discussion is as follows: [1] The expression "coordination" used in Entry 66 of the Union List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution does not merely mean evaluation. It means harmonisation with a view to forge a uniform pattern for a concerted action according to a certain design, scheme or plan of development. It, therefore, includes action not only for removal of disparities in standards but also for preventing the occurrence of such disparities. It would, therefore, also include power to do all things which are necessary to prevent what would make "coordination" either impossible or difficult. This power is absolute and unconditional and in the absence of any valid compelling reasons, it must be given its full effect according to its plain and express intention.
It would, therefore, also include power to do all things which are necessary to prevent what would make "coordination" either impossible or difficult. This power is absolute and unconditional and in the absence of any valid compelling reasons, it must be given its full effect according to its plain and express intention. [ii] To the extent that the State legislation is in conflict with the Central legislation though the former is purported to have been made under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List but in effect encroaches upon legislation including subordinate legislation made by the center under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List or to give effect to Entry 66 of the Union List, it would be void and inoperative. [iii] If there is a conflict between the two legislations, unless the State legislation is saved by the provisions of the main part of Clause [2] of Article 254, the State legislation being repugnant to the Central legislation, the same would be inoperative. [iv] Whether the State law encroaches upon Entry 66 of the Union List or is repugnant to the law made by the center under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List, will have to be determined by the examination of the two laws and will depend upon the facts of each case. [v] When there are more applicants than the available situations/seats, the State authority is not prevented from laying down higher standards or qualifications than those laid down by the center or the Central authority to short-list the applicants. When the State authority does so, it does not encroach upon Entry 66 of the Union List or make a law which is repugnant to the Central law. [vi] However, when the situations/ seats are available and the State authorities deny an applicant the same on the ground that the applicant is not qualified according to its standards or qualifications, as the case may be, although the applicant satisfies the standards or qualifications laid down by the Central law, they act unconstitutionally. So also when the State authorities derecognise or disaffiliate an institution for not satisfying the standards or requirement laid down by them, although it satisfied the norms and requirements laid down by the central authority, the State authorities act illegally. ” Preeti Srivastava & Ors. (supra):- “35.
So also when the State authorities derecognise or disaffiliate an institution for not satisfying the standards or requirement laid down by them, although it satisfied the norms and requirements laid down by the central authority, the State authorities act illegally. ” Preeti Srivastava & Ors. (supra):- “35. The legislative competence of Parliament and the legislatures of the States to make laws under Article 246 is regulated by the VIIth Schedule to the Constitution. In the VIIth Schedule as originally in force, Entry 11 of List II gave to the State an exclusive power to legislate on “Education including universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I and Entry 25 of List III”. Entry 11 of List II was deleted and Entry 25 of List III was amended with effect from 3-1-1976 as a result of the Constitution 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. The present Entry 25 in the Concurrent List is as follows: “25. Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour.” Entry 25 is subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I. Entry 66 of List I is as follows: “66. Coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.” Both the Union as well as the States have the power to legislate on education including medical education, subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I which deals with laying down standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions as also coordination of such standards. A State has, therefore, the right to control education including medical education so long as the field is not occupied by any Union legislation. Secondly, the State cannot, while controlling education in the State, impinge on standards in institutions for higher education. Because this is exclusively within the purview of the Union Government.
A State has, therefore, the right to control education including medical education so long as the field is not occupied by any Union legislation. Secondly, the State cannot, while controlling education in the State, impinge on standards in institutions for higher education. Because this is exclusively within the purview of the Union Government. Therefore, while prescribing the criteria for admission to the institutions for higher education including higher medical education, the State cannot adversely affect the standards laid down by the Union of India under Entry 66 of List I. Secondly, while considering the cases on the subject it is also necessary to remember that from 1977, education, including, inter alia, medical and university education, is now in the Concurrent List so that the Union can legislate on admission criteria also. If it does so, the State will not be able to legislate in this field, except as provided in Article 254.” 14. This Court further observes that both the Union Government and State Government has a duty to maintain the high standards of education in every field, particularly, in the field of medical education. The Union Government in the Regulations of 2020 prescribed the condition of 100 bedded parent/own hospital for every Nursing Institutions/Colleges in the country and it is uniformly applicable to all Nursing Institutions/Colleges in the country, which shows uniformity in the standards of medical education in the entire country. 14.1. This Court also observes that the State Government imposed the condition of 100 bedded own hospital in policy dated 07.06.2022, which is not a supplementary condition, and it is overreach of the Union Government’s existing condition on the subject. This Court further observes that if the condition in question imposed by the State Government is allowed to continue, then it would amount to a clear discrimination between the Nursing Institutions/Colleges of the State of the Rajasthan and Nursing Institution/Colleges of the other States of the country, which is not permissible in law. 15. This Court further observes that the State Government has sufficient power to regulate the Nursing Institutions/ Colleges in the State and as observed by the learned Single Judge in the impugned order, the State Government has got ample power to order stoppage/closure of the ineligible nursing institutions/colleges, who are being run without following the procedure prescribed in law. 16.
15. This Court further observes that the State Government has sufficient power to regulate the Nursing Institutions/ Colleges in the State and as observed by the learned Single Judge in the impugned order, the State Government has got ample power to order stoppage/closure of the ineligible nursing institutions/colleges, who are being run without following the procedure prescribed in law. 16. This Court also observes that the various eligible Nursing Institutions/Colleges who are completely following all the guidelines as well as conditions prescribed under the law, cannot be deprived of grant of NOC for establishment of new institution or enhancement of seats in the existing institutions, on count of the condition in question pertaining to 100 bedded own hospital as introduced by the State Government vide policy order dated 07.06.2022. 17. This Court further observes that the Union Government policy already in vogue has an existing condition in the Regulation of 2020 wherein the Nursing Institutions/Colleges were required to have 100 bedded parent/own hospital whereas the only difference the State wanted to carve out was to restrict the Nursing Institutions/Colleges to only have 100 bedded own hospital. However, the same is not of any consequence because the proviso in the Regulations of 2020 envisages that the parent hospital for Nursing institution has to have the same Trust/Society/Company which has established the nursing institution and has also established the hospital OR a parent hospital would be a hospital either own and controlled by the Trust/Society/Company or managed and controlled by a trustee/member/director of the Trust/Society/Company. 17.1 This Court also observes that the clinching part of the Regulations of 2020 is that the parent hospital shall not be allowed to be treated as Parent/Affiliated Hospital to any other nursing institution and shall enjoy the status of parent hospital for a minimum 30 years and thus the sanctity of a single hundred bedded hospital dedicated to a nursing institution is maintained. Further the Regulations of 2020 made it clear that the hospital infrastructure has to be at the same location where the nursing institution exists.
Further the Regulations of 2020 made it clear that the hospital infrastructure has to be at the same location where the nursing institution exists. 17.2 This Court further observes that there is no justifiable reason of the condition in question as mentioned in policy dated 07.06.2022 in view of the fact that the Union Government introduced the condition of 100 bedded parent/own hospital mentioned in the Regulations of 2020, for grant of NOC for establishment of new Nursing Institutions/Colleges or enhancement of the seats in existing institution(s) which takes care of the quality of education to be imparted. 18. This Court also observes that the learned Single Judge in the impugned order has taken into due consideration all the relevant aspects of the case as also the precedent laws governing the field. 19. In light of the aforesaid observations and looking into the overall factual matrix of the present case, this Court does not find it a fit case so as to grant any relief to the appellant in the present appeals. 20. Consequently, the present appeals are dismissed.