Any variation in the standards of the qualifications required of medical practitioners who render services in rural areas vis-à-vis those rendering services in urban and metropolitan areas is violative of the constitutional values of substantive equality and non-discrimination, said Supreme Court, while pronouncing a judgement striking down the Assam Rural Health Regulatory Authority Act, 2004 which permitted diploma holders in Medicine and Rural Health Care to treat certain common diseases, perform minor procedures, and prescribe certain drugs. The bench, comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice BV Nagarathna, while hearing an appeal against the Gauhati High Court setting aside the Assam act on the ground that it was ultra vires the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 as well as unconstitutional, reserved its judgement in November last year. This judgement was pronounced by Justice Nagarathna on Tuesday.