Cuttack: Orissa High Court has sought a reply from the state government on a petition seeking intervention against inordinate delay in creation of posts of paramedical workers (leprosy trained) for high leprosy endemic areas in the state.

The court has set July 11 as deadline for the state government to give the reply.

Trinath Sahoo, 36, a resident of Gandhipalli in Cuttack, filed the petition contending that creation of the posts was required for successful implementation of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP).

According to the petition, the central government had in a communication to the state government asked to take steps for recruitment of paramedical workers four years ago.

Union health and family welfare ministry's director general (heath services) had in his letter to state health secretary on May 5, 2014, said: "I am pleased to convey that 22 posts of District Leprosy Consultants for high endemic districts and 184 posts of paramedical workers for high endemic blocks and urban areas of your state on contractual basis are approved under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme and funds for hiring the above positions were also released in the year 2013-14 and will be further released in this year. You are requested to kindly ensure that the above positions are filled up immediately and they are involved in the case finding, treatment and disability prevention and medical rehabilitation of leprosy patients."

The petition further pointed out that a proposal for creation of 404 posts of leprosy-trained paramedical workers was also pending for approval with the state government since March 11, 2011.

"But till date nothing has happened and such a major sector of the society which is affected by a disease like leprosy is not being looked after," the petitioner alleged, while seeking judicial intervention.