Search for new AIIMS Director continues

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) The search for the next Director of the country's premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) today remained inconclusive with health officials indicating that the process to decide on the next incumbent was still on. Health Secretary Naresh Dayal, while confirming that the issue had come up at today's meeting, told reporters here that some names had been shortlisted, but refused to divulge details saying the selection was yet to be finalised.

Nearly 70 candidates had applied for the post vacated by Dr P Venugopal on July 2.

The selection will be done according to the amendments made recently in the Act, which fixes the term of the Director for five years from the day he or she assumes office or until he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, following adoption of the minutes of the last meeting held on December 21, 2007.

Further, Dr K K Talwar, who is believed to be among the shortlisted candidates, has been granted extension of lien and service, the health secretary added.

The institute had earlier formed a nine-member committee to select the new Director. The nine-member panel, chaired by Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, includes Delhi University (DU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepak Pental and Mr Dayal.

Meanwhile, a high-level inquiry has been instituted into the human trials conducted on AIIMS patients resulting in the death of 49 children and asked for the report to be submitted expeditiously.

The spokesman announced the adoption of the minutes of the meeting regarding reservation in faculty posts, saying that ''henceforth the roster system would supersede the earlier floating system of reservation adopted by AIIMS.'' In accordance with the recent amendments in the Act, the meeting also gave the go ahead for fixing the term of the Director for five years from the date he or she assumes office or until the incumbent reaches the age of 65 years, whichever is earliest.

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