Ramadoss smells victory as Lok Sabha clears AIIMS Bill

In his long-drawn turf war against AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss inched closer to victory..

In his long-drawn turf war against AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss inched closer to victory with the Lok Sabha on Thursday passing a Bill that seeks to fix the age-limit of the directors of AIIMS, New Delhi, and PGI, Chandigarh, at 65.

The Bill to amend the AIIMS Act, 1956 and the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh Act, 1966 was passed by the Lok Sabha amidst protests and walkout by Opposition parties who alleged that the Government was trying to quell AIIMS autonomy. They also protested against the Government8217;s decision to seek to pass the Bill without referring it to the Standing Committee.

Now, the Bill will go before the Rajya Sabha for its approval.

The Bill stipulates that 8220;the director will have a term of five years from the date on which he enters his office or until he attains 65 years of age8221;. The Government, however, dropped another controversial provision relating to termination of the services of the director prior to the expiry of his term 8220;in public interest8221;.

8220;Today Dr Venugopal is 66. He is not in a position to walk properly. Today it AIIMS is being run by a coterie of junior doctors. He has no clue what is happening there,8221; said the minister while denying that he had any 8220;personal agenda8221; behind it.

He argued that there was a court directive asking the Government to formulate a policy covering various facets and conditions of service of its employees, including the director of the institute in accordance with law and to uniformly apply such policy in times to come.

In the process, the ruling camp sought to give 8220;reservation8221; angle to what was essentially Ramadoss8217;s battle for supremacy over the premier health institution. Ramadoss said he had got complaints about8220;discrimination on caste and religious lines and that Governing Body8217;s recommendations were not being implemented8221;.

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Speaking on the Bill earlier, BJP MP Maneka Gandhi said the inclusion of the PGI in the Bill was meant to 8220;disguise8221; the minister8217;s agenda against AIIMS director.

8220;The MS Valiathan Committee set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had praised the functioning of AIIMS under Dr Venugopal and recommended the removal of the Health Minister,8221; she said.

In response, the ruling side cited Thorat Committee report about anti-quota stir in AIIMS.

Maneka alleged that the minister appointed a Dean who superceded 23 others. Degrees of the students were held up till the court intervened. The minister also suspended many doctors.

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Refuting her charges, Ramadoss said, 8220;Who prevented Dr Venugopal from holding convocation for two years? It is their responsibility to hold convocations.8221;