RS passes amended JIPMER

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today passed the Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, Bill 2007 with a voice vote following the government's incorporation of all the suggestions and recommendations made by various parties.

The bill, which the government was forced to withdraw during the winter session of Parliament following the CPI(M)'s pressure for specific amendments, was taken to the Cabinet and all the suggestions were incorporated into it, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss informed the house and urged the members to pass the amended bill.

Dr Ramadoss also claimed that the peace in AIIMS during the past six months indicated who was at fault at the prestigious institute.

The minister made the comment in response to a statement by Samajwadi Party MP Banwari Lal Chanchal that making ministers presidents of the health institutions lead to politics as was evident from the AIIMS experience.

Appreciating the minister for respecting the sentiments of the house and incorporating the amendments, Mr Su Thirunavukkarasar of the BJP said that employees of the institute should be given a choice to either remain in JIPMER or join some nearby central government organisations and they should not be transferred to a faraway place.

He also said that the reservation of 20 seats for local students should be proportionately increased in the future and their fees must remain affordable. Patients should continue getting free and low cost treatment for which they come here, he said.

Samajwadi party MP Banwari Lal Chanchal stressed the need for the bank account of the institute to be opened in a nationalised bank.

He also said that Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs from Pudducherry should be made members of the Institute's governing body and the minister kept away from it as it led to a lot of politics. He also suggested that the institute be named after some local eminent person and not late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

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