Javaid Naikoo
Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 4: Amid tall claims of transparency, the premier health institute, SKIMS, Srinagar, continues to function headless as political interference has halted selection of a meritorious applicant to head the institute.
Nearly a month after three member selection committee submitted its merit report in Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti's office to nominate one deserving applicant; sources told early times that interference of one close associate of the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti creates hurdles in meritorious selection.
They said this noted PDP politician wants his preferred Doctor to head the institute and hardly cares for merit report submitted by selection committee in the office of Chief Minister.
"Earlier he supported one tainted Doctor to head SKIMS, however his preferred Doctor later could not qualify in interview. Now he is projecting another fair face and wants the Chief Minister to nominate him as director SKIMS but the Chief Minister is yet to give her nod, sources said.
Despite tall claims of transparency in administration, political meddling in selection of head of the SKIMS according to some Doctors and non gazette employees in the institute has badly hit patient care in the institute in absence of its Director.
As per guidelines, the governing body of SKIMS institute shall be the appointing authority for the post of Director and the power of relaxation remains with state government.
Governor NN Vohra who is also Chairman of the governing body of SKIMS has though authorized three members to appoint Director SKIMS on merit bases, however till date nothing such happened on ground as Political interference always plays a vital role in selection of the institutes of state.
After retirement of former Director SKIMS, state government in last month nominated Mandeep Bhandari, Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education as interim Director SKIMS till the appointment of a new director for the institute.
However, according to sources his appointment has created a divide among Doctors and non Gazzeted employees in the institute. Employees as per sources questioning the Bandari's appointment said that it is the violation of guidelines of the autonomous institute. BJP Minister for Health and medical education, Bhali Bhagat had on repeated times told early time that selection of the Director SKIMS will be based on merit and BJP will oppose every sort of favouritism in selection of a Doctor to head the premier institute of state. |
