In a path-breaking directive, Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) to appoint two HIV afflicted persons who had been denied jobs by the public sector company due to their health status.
Based on the petitions by the unnamed persons, Justice K Chandru on Tuesday asked the Corporation to appoint them as drivers within eight weeks.
In his order, the judge pointed that as per the Central Government's National Policy on HIV/AIDS, no HIV/AIDS screening was required for the purpose of employment.
The petitioners submitted that they were called for the interview held for the post of drivers but denied the job as they tested HIV positive during medical examination.
The court observed the action of the TNSTC in asking the petitioners to test for HIV totally contradicted the National policy.
The state-run company's action was "contrary to the dictum laid down by various courts and the policy evolved by the Union of India," the Judge said.
Justice Chandru said the course adopted by the TNSTC in denying employment to the petitioners was not based on any scientific basis.