Panjim:- Now an aggrieved party can file an appeal against the order passed by health officer before the Deputy Director of Directorate of Health Services for redressal. The move is been introduced for the very first time giving much needed relief to those who are not satisfied with the order passed by the lower officer. State Government has amended the Goa Public Health Rules, 1987, wherein a new Rule 17A is been inserted that speaks about “appeal against the decision of health officer”. Until date, the Goa Public Health Rules granted no powers to appeal against the decision of the Health Officer. “Every appeal against the decision of the Public Officer for which no provision of appeal is made in the Act, shall be preferred before the Deputy Director (Public Health), Directorate of Health Services,” the amendment stated. The appeal has to be filed within a period of 30days from the date of the decision of the Health Officer, along with the copy of the decision. A fee of Rs 500 will be charged. “The Deputy Director (Public Health) may either confirm, modify or set aside the decision of the Health Officer in such appeal or he may remand the matter back to the Health Officer for disposal with such direction as deemed fit by him or pass such order as he may deem fit, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.,” the Rules stated