Madhya Pradesh High Court Upholds TB Screening Targets, Says Demanding Work Schedules Alone Do Not Make Policy Arbitrary

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging operational guidelines issued under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, holding that demanding work schedules prescribed for radiographers cannot be termed arbitrary merely because they require intensive fieldwork.

The petition was filed by Pragatisheel Radiographers Sangh, Madhya Pradesh, which challenged guidelines governing the use of ultraportable handheld X-ray devices for community-based tuberculosis screening. The association also questioned State and district-level circulars directing radiographers to conduct 100–150 chest X-rays per day during screening camps.

The petitioners argued that radiographers were being deployed in villages and temporary camp locations without adequate radiation-protection infrastructure. They further alleged that Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) badges were not being provided and that the radiation allowance paid in Madhya Pradesh remained disproportionately low compared to several other States.

Rejecting the challenge, Justice Jai Kumar Pillai observed that the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is a public welfare initiative aimed at eliminating tuberculosis and that courts must exercise restraint while reviewing public health policies framed by experts and government authorities.

The Court held that operational targets fixed for radiographers form part of the administrative mechanism necessary to implement the programme effectively and cannot be treated as arbitrary solely because they involve demanding schedules. Finding no violation of any statutory provision or service rule, the Court concluded that no ground existed for judicial interference and dismissed the petition.

Case: Pragatisheel Radiographers Sangh Madhya Pradesh v. Union of India & Ors. (2026:MPHC-IND:15164)