The Hindu : New Delhi News : Prime Minister asked to oversee selection of new AIIMS director

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Prime Minister asked to oversee selection of new AIIMS director

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Decision cannot to left to whims of few people with vested interests, feels AIIMS faculty group
It also appeals for formation of panel under Manmohan’s chairmanship to oversee process

NEW DELHI: With less than a month left for the reinstated director of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, P. Venugopal, to retire the institute’s faculty association has written to the Prime Minister asking him “to oversee the selection procedure or constitute a committee to look into the matter”.

In its appeal, the AIIMS faculty association said the premier position of AIIMS and its director cannot be left to the “whims of a few people with vested interests”. The Association said the selection process was an important and sensitive matter and urged the Prime Minister to constitute a search/selection committee under his chairmanship “to ensure that AIIMS is able to hold its head high and lead the medical fraternity of India as always”.

A senior faculty member said: “A new director is to be selected for AIIMS as soon as the term of the reinstated Director Dr. Venugopal gets completed on July 10. We request the direct involvement of the Prime Minister in the selection process to ensure that it’s a free and fair process.” In its letter, the Association also suggested the names of people who it felt would be impartial and could help in the selection process. The names include previous directors and faculty members of the Institute, medical and scientific experts, legal luminaries, and members of the National Knowledge Commission and senior officials of Delhi University.

The Institute’s deputy director (administration), Shailesh Kumar Yadav, said: “The last day for applying is July 10 and we have already started getting applications, but the details cannot be shared with the media.”

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