Despite Health Ministry letter, AIIMS yet to begin search for new director

On May 9, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Ali Rizvi wrote to V Srinivas, Deputy Director (administration), AIIMS: “As you may be aware, the tenure of the present Director of AIIMS New Delhi is going to expire on 30.01.2017. Further, Cabinet Secretary via D O Letter number 28 (43) EO/2013(ACC) Pt. dated 10.12.2015 has issued instructions, regarding the timeline to be followed for submission of ACC (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet) proposals…you are requested to take action in advance ie to issue a circular as has been done in the past inviting nominations from the Vice Chancellors of Indian Universities including Medical Universities, Directors of Centres/Institutions of Medical Education and Medical Research, members of the Institute Body of AIIMS, New Delhi and principals of all medical colleges in India.”

However, with less than six months to go, AIIMS has till date not acted on the letter, leading to speculation within the institute about the possibility of an extension for Dr Mishra. Although that would require a change in the AIIMS Act and the approval of Parliament.

The Cabinet Secretary’s letter that to Rizvi says: “It is a matter of concern that despite existing guidelines, proposals for appointments/additional charge arrangements continue to be submitted for consideration of the ACC at the eleventh hour, leaving the ACC with little free time to adequately scrutinise the proposals which many a time, become fait accompli…Proposals not submitted in the EO’s office at least two months in advance of the date of vacancy/ending of the additional charge arrangement, as the case may be, would have to be accompanied by a “Delay Statement” duly signed by the secretary of the Ministry/Department indicating the time taken at various stages of processing the proposal, the reasons for delay and the action taken to avoid such situations in the future.”

“We had written to AIIMS some time back about inviting nominations for the post of director because the deadlines for new appointments have been laid down clearly by the Cabinet Secretariat. Nothing has come of it so far. I am not aware of any plan for giving an extension to the current incumbent,” said a Health Ministry official.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Srinivas said: “Yes we have received the letter, we are in the process of issuing the circular inviting nominations.”