Centre’s RML Hospital asks Health Ministry not to apply reservation in contractual appointments of faculty

The Indian Express has learnt that a letter dated June 12 this year, sent by the institute’s Dean Professor Arti Maria to the Ministry, sought clarification on whether there is any rule to convert OBC/ST/SC seats into unreserved seats after two unfilled interviews like in case of the EWS category.

There are 44 faculty positions vacant in the institute at present, hospital sources said.

In response to this letter, the Ministry has asked ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital as well as Lady Hardinge Medical College, and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital for a “comprehensive examination in the matter” and “send the proposal” to it.

These three institutions in Delhi are run by the central government. Dr RML Hospital, earlier known as Willingdon Hospital, is where most VIPs, including Members of Parliament, are treated.

Dr Maria’s letter was written concerning permission to fill up posts of contract Assistant Professors (Board/Super Speciality) may be allowed at Director/Medical Superintendent level subject to adherence of sanctioned strength, available vacancy and fulfilment of eligible criteria.

She wrote: “Since there is no reservation in admission in NEET SS (Super Speciality Courses), hence, the reservation roster would not apply during the interview for the post of Assistant Professor in Super Speciality on a contract basis.”

Asked about the suggestion to not provide reservation in faculty appointments, Dr Maria said “that was not the intent”.

However, she did not respond to questions sent by The Indian Express.

Manisha Verma, Addl.DG (Media) at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, AYUSH, Chemicals and Fertilisers, also did not respond to questions sent by The Indian Express.

In ABVIMS & Dr RML Hospital, the total sanctioned strength of faculty is 245 whereas the actual strength is 201 (181 regular and 20

on contract). Forty-four posts are vacant.

The immediate effect of this letter, if accepted, would change the reservation equation in these 44 vacant posts: it would be 11 seats for OBC, six for SC, three for ST, four for EWS and 20 for unreserved as per the existing reservation roster.

Currently, the 201 faculty positions at ABVIMS have 33 from OBC, 28 from SC, 13 from ST, and none from EWS and 127 (including two physically handicapped) from the unreserved category.

Recruitment of faculty in these institutions is made by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). However, vacant positions are filled by the institution with the approval of the MoHFW on a contractual basis.

Contracts are given for three years and reservation norms are applied. A circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 24, 1968, stated that in respect of appointments to central government posts and services, there shall be reservations for Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class candidates in temporary appointments which are to last for 45 days or more.

OBC was added to the list later when reservation was granted to the category as per the Mandal Report. The latest such circular issued is dated May 15, 2018, by the DoPT.

Other institutions like IITs and IIMs have also been facing a shortage of faculty and the government has tried to fill up reserved posts in the last few years. In February this year, the Union government said in the Lok Sabha that Central Higher Educational Institutions, including IITs, have undertaken a mission mode and more than 4,440 faculty vacancies of SC/ ST/ OBC categories have been filled.