HC notice to Dr Venugopal on Health Minister holding AIIMS post

New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notice to AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal on a PIL seeking direction restraining Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and Health Secretary P K Hota from holding posts in the Institute Governing Body.

Justice Anil Kumar directed the Director to file a reply to the allegations by October 16.

The Director of Central Government Health Services had filed a reply to the PIL which was filed on August 24.

In a petition filed by Counsel Sugiv Dubey and Namita Roy, petitioner Dr S S Kale and others alleged that a Parliamentary Committee in 1996 had said there would be no autonomy in the AIIMS if both the Minister and Secretary were in the Institute Body.

The petition assumed importance as there was a move by the Institute Body headed by Mr Ramadoss to dismiss AIIMS Director DR P Venugopal from the post.

The Parliamentary Committee had submitted that the appointment of Union Health Minister and Health Secretary to the Institute Body as President and member would not be providing autonomy in its functioning, said the petition.

Counsel Sanjiv Dubey appeared for the AIIMS and submitted that it would file its reply by the next date of hearing.

The Government was represented by a junior counsel, who submitted that the direction would be communicated to the authorities.

UNI PAT PK DB1831