Eliminate discrimination in promotions for male nursing officers: TNJAC to govt

Hyderabad: Telangana Nurses Joint Action Committee (TNJAC) has urged the state government to remove hurdles in promotions for male nursing officers. The Committee said the current rules violate the constitutional principles of equality and equal opportunity.

“We request the Telangana State Government to eliminate discrimination in promotions for male nursing officers, respecting the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Constitution, and to take immediate action to ensure equitable opportunities,” TNJAC said in a statement.

Background

In 2005, the then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, intervened with the Indian Nursing Council and issued G.O. No. 82 (dated 08-05-2005), which allowed male candidates to pursue nursing courses in government nursing colleges and schools. The order explicitly stated: “No Bar admitting Male candidates to these courses.”

Subsequently, G.O. No. 320 (2006) upgraded nursing schools to colleges, enabling male admissions across all government nursing institutions. From 2011 to date, an estimated 1,000–1,200 male nursing officers have been serving in government jobs. However, certain older government orders continue to exclude them from promotions.

Promotion Restrictions

G.O. No. 126 (30-04-1998) restricts staff nurse positions in the state ESI department to female candidates only. Similarly, G.O. No. 466 (16-10-1998) and G.O. No. 101 (04-04-1997) specify that only female candidates are eligible for promotions.

TNJAC stated that due to these rules, no male candidates were included in the 2024 seniority list for lecturer promotions, leading some to approach the courts.

Court Ruling

On September 4, 2014, in O.A. No. 9051 of 2012, the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal (Hyderabad) ruled that restricting staff nurse positions to females violates Articles 14 (Equality before the Law) and 16 (Equal Opportunity in Public Employment) of the Indian Constitution. The court observed that “the government has the authority to amend the rules.”

Andhra Pradesh Amendments

The state of Andhra Pradesh has already addressed the issue. Through G.O. No. 47 (14-03-2024), the Nursing Service Rules were amended to replace the phrase “only women” with “men and women.” The change was published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette on April 3, 2024, aligning with constitutional provisions and enabling equal promotion opportunities for male candidates.

Appeal to the Telangana Government

TNJAC noted that Telangana had taken progressive steps in the past, first by allowing male candidates to pursue nursing courses in 2005, and later by offering them government jobs from 2011 onwards. However, the committee said that equal promotional opportunities remain absent.

“To ensure equal promotion opportunities for male candidates, we request the Telangana Government to amend G.O. No. 466 (16-10-1998), G.O. No. 101 (04-04-1997), and G.O. No. 126 (30-04-1998). Following the example of Andhra Pradesh, these G.O.s should be revised to deliver justice to male nurses,” the statement said.

Demand

TNJAC has called for immediate amendments to the three government orders, stating:

“We demand immediate amendments to G.O. Nos. 466, 101, and 126 to provide equal promotion opportunities to male nursing officers by Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The gender-based discrimination in the nursing profession must be eliminated to uphold the spirit of the Constitution.”

The committee’s appeal comes amid ongoing debates on gender-based rules in public employment and the scope for reform in professional service regulations.