AIIMS governing body to decide on permanent director

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New DelhiNew Delhi, Dec 20: The governing and institute body meeting of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be held here this evening to discuss the appointment of a permanent director.

The meetings will be chaired by Union Heath Minister Ambumani Ramadoss.

Earlier, Ramadoss appointed Dr. T D Dogra as the acting director after the removal of former director Dr. P Venugopal.

Dr. Dogra heads Forensic Medicines and Toxicology Department and is next to Dr. Venugopal in seniority.

Dr. Venugopal was removed following the passage of the AIIMS (Amendment) Bill, 2007 fixing the retirement age of the director at 65 years.

Earlier, Dr. Venugopal had alleged that the Bill passed by the Parliament with retrospective effect was aimed deliberately to remove him from service.

The Bill fixes 65 year as the retirement age of the director of the AIIMS and the Chandigarh-based Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).

The other issue to be considered is the implementation of pending decisions, including the issue of irregular appointments and promotions of 164 assistant professors by Dr. Venugopal.

Issues like the Thorat Committee report on alleged caste discrimination in the AIIMS hostel and the case of medical negligence against Dr. A K Bisoi will also discussed during the meeting. (ANI)