The Hindu : National : Bill on tenure of AIIMS, PGIMER directors passed

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Friday, Nov 23, 2007
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Bill on tenure of AIIMS, PGIMER directors passed

Special Correspondent

Bill, a personal agenda of Anbumani: NDA
‘Tenure being fixed as per court direction’

NEW DELHI: The Bill to fix the tenure of the directors of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday in the absence of the entire Opposition, which walked out in protest.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which alleged that the Bill was the result of a personal agenda of Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss against AIIMS director P. Venugopal, staged the walkout just as the Minister rose to respond to the over three-hour long discussion.

Stating that the AIIMS and PGIMER (Amendment) Bill, 2007, was not aimed at one institution but two, and would also apply to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Education and Research (Puducherry), the Minister clarified that the tenure of the directors of the two institutions was being fixed as per a High Court direction.

With Bharatiya Janata Party member Maneka Gandhi making allegations against Dr. Ramadoss amid protests from his party members and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, the Minister countered each charge. To the allegation that the government was tampering with the autonomy of the institution through this amendment, he drew the attention of the members to the “autocratic” style of Dr. Venugopal’s functioning.

The discussion generated considerable debate as members supportive of the amendment sought to underline Dr. Venugopal’s role in the anti-reservation agitation last year. They said the AIIMS had become an epicentre of politics — drawing the comment from the Minister that he wanted to save it from becoming the “All India Institute of Political Sciences” — where the Constitution and books by B.R. Ambedkar were burnt.

Earlier, as the Minister sought to move the Bill for consideration and passage, the Opposition members held up the proceedings for a while, demanding that it be referred to the Standing Committee on Health.

However, as the Bill was introduced in the monsoon session and not referred to the Standing Committee, Krishna Tirath — who was in the Chair — refused to entertain the demand.

Further, Basudeb Acharia (CPI-Mt) said the majority of members of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha had agreed that the Bill should be taken up directly by the House without referring it to the panel.

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