State - September 19, 2025

And Smiles Bloomed on the Faces of 89 Health Workers

team maverick September 19, 2025

0 4 min read

Appointments in Sindhudurg District; Special Efforts Succeed Under the Guidance of the Guardian Minister

Sindhudurgnagari, Sept 18 : A major step has been taken to strengthen rural healthcare in Sindhudurg district. After a long wait, the recruitment process for female health workers has finally been completed under the guidance of Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane and with the efforts of Chief Executive Officer Ravindra Khebudkar.

On September 17, 2025, as part of the Seva Pakhwada Abhiyan, Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane distributed appointment orders to 89 health workers at the District Planning Committee Hall. These appointments will enhance services at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres, making it possible to effectively implement national programmes such as vaccination, maternal and child care, Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and epidemic control.

The recruitment process began with the advertisement for 121 health worker (female) posts by the Sindhudurg Zilla Parishad in August 2023. As per the rules, the IBPS conducted computer-based examinations, following which a merit list of 150 candidates was prepared. Out of 132 who appeared for document verification, 89 were found eligible for final selection.

However, during the recruitment process, contractual health workers under the National Health Mission (NHM) filed three petitions (No. 12366, 12368, 12369 of 2023) in the Bombay High Court, demanding inclusion without direct recruitment. In November 2023, the High Court permitted the recruitment process to continue but instructed that appointments should not be issued without prior permission.

Subsequently, on March 14, 2024, the Public Health Department issued a government resolution allowing 30% of NHM contractual employees to be absorbed into vacant posts annually. Accordingly, the Sindhudurg Zilla Parishad sought special permission from the High Court, highlighting the adverse impact of vacant posts on healthcare services.

After hearings in Mumbai and at the Kolhapur Circuit Bench between August and September 2025, the High Court directed that out of 176 vacant posts of female health workers, 126 should be filled through direct recruitment while 50 should remain vacant for NHM absorption.

This cleared the way for 89 appointments in PHCs and sub-centres across Sindhudurg district. A counseling session for selected candidates was held on September 13, 2025, followed by the official appointment order distribution on September 17, 2025.

These appointments are expected to significantly strengthen rural healthcare delivery, ensuring better implementation of national programmes and improving maternal-child welfare and disease control. Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane’s guidance and the efforts of CEO Khebudkar were crucial in completing this long-pending process.

Summary of Recruitment Timeline