HC issues notices to AIIMS, Health Ministry

New Delhi, July 5 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare asking them to respond to a writ petition within four weeks which seeks to quash the present governing body of the AIIMS.

The petition, filed by Dr S S Kale and others, sought to quash the present governing body of the AIIMS, calling it ''contrary to the letter and spirit of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956''.

The petition urged the court to save the premier institution from further politicisation by the Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss raising questions about the credentials of the people appointed by Dr Ramadoss on the AIIMS governing board.

The petitioners said that appointment of Dr R Surendran, who was appointed, cannot is related to Dr Ramadoss.

They said Dr Ramadoss and secretary (Health) P K Hota were appointed as members of the governing body of the institute which is in violation of section 4 clause (e) of the Act.

''A Parliamentary committee in its report had said that appointment of Dr Ramadoss and Mr Hota will not give autonomy to the institute and hence both should steer clear of a body manning the AIIMS.'' The petition also accuses the Ministry of deliberately ignoring the seniority list for appointment of the Dean of AIIMS.

UNI SSS AK GC1849