JAMMU: In yet another act of politico-bureaucratic nexus, the rudderless coalition government failed to rein in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to restrain from bestowing favour to blue eyed doctors. In a brazen violation of rules and despite the rejection of Public Service Commission to promotion of two Lectures as Assistant Professors Dr Dharminder and Dr Elias Sharma are continuing to work against the senior positions in the so-called Super Specialty Hospital, (SSH) Jammu.
A visit to SSH will reveal nameplates hanging in the Cardiology and Urology Departments showing Dr Dharminder and Dr Elias as Assistant Professors despite the fact they were not cleared by the Public Service Commission as they were not fulfilling the criterion.
Dr Dharminder Kumar of Cardiology and Dr Elias Sharma of Urology were promoted as Assistant Professors on 14th March, 2013 for a period of six months, subject to clearance of the PSC.
“The PSC turned down the proposal, as these two doctors were not fulfilling the promotion criteria”, said K. B Jandial, who has relinquished office as Member of the Commission, when contacted by the STATE TIMES. Jandial was heading the promotion panel of the Health and Medical Education Department.
Sources told STATE TIMES that Minister for Health and Medical Education made it a prestige issue to have these two doctors designated as Assistant Professors. Interestingly, the cases of the duo were being pushed by senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders besides top bureaucrats. Their promotions were approved by the minister in violation of norms and in supersession to their seniors. Under rules, promotion of Assistant Professors is required to be confirmed by the PSC.
The clout of two doctors and the patronage extended by the Minister for Health and Medical Education delayed the clearance of 50 Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors of Government Medical College Hospital, as the duo had mounted immense pressure on PSC for their inclusion.
The wrong precedence set by the two doctors to flaunt their designations have impacted the work culture in both the GMC and SSH. This has also encouraged groupism in the premier institutions notwithstanding the fact that most of well meaning doctors want to work but feel harassed due to intrigues unleashed by vested interests. As a result of these tactics, Dr Vijyant Chandel of Gastroenteritis, having vast experience, was ousted from the SSH to pave way for Dr Showkat Choudhry, his junior. Dr Choudhry is reported to be close to the minister concerned.
Vivek Sharma