Vacant post at PGI stirs up a storm,again

While the PGI repeatedly takes the plea that the post has been lying vacant,as there was no suitable candidate,the persistent infighting,litigation,resignations and seniority issues have actually plagued the department.

There were former senior faculty members like Dr Jagmohan Verma and Dr G S Kalra,both of whom retired as additional professors while eyeing the post of professor,Dr A S Anand and

Dr R P Sapru,also engaged in the seniority tussle and retired without attaining the rank of professorship.

Then Dr Anil Grover and Dr H K Bali,both staking the claim to be a professor,resigned as additional professors,citing the “lack of conducive environment for professional growth”. Both were denied a promotion in 2007.

“There is no denying the fact that resentment had been brewing in the department with Director Dr KK Talwar holding on to the additional charge of HoD,Cardiology.

This was the main reason for resignations,” said a senior faculty member,requesting anonymity.

Additional Professor Dr H K Bali had resigned in January 2007,after it became clear that he would not be considered for the post of professor. Dr Grover followed with his resignation in August the same year.

In the last three years,the post of professor has been advertised for a few times but none was selected. “PGI has been advertising the post with the intention of selecting none. It only brings more resentment,” said a former doctor at the department.

As per the department’s records,the post was advertised in 2003,when both Dr Bali and Dr Grover had applied. While both were considered eligible by the external selection committee,neither was selected.

After Dr Talwar joined,only one post was advertised in 2006,but neither Dr Bali nor Dr Grover was considered eligible. Again,two years ago,the post was advertised but none was selected.

Two cadaver donations made in one week

The Department of Anatomy at the PGI has received two bodies in the last one week for the purpose of teaching and research at the institute.

The PGI received the body of 60-year-old Ramesh Kumar who died at the hospital on May 25 following a long illness. Kumar had been under treatment at the hospital for eight years,told his relatives he had faith in the medical care of the institute,which motivated him to take the decision for cadaver donation. “PGIMER Director and Department of Anatomy are highly grateful to Kumar’s wife,son Akash and daughter Jyotsna for fulfilling his last desire,” read a statement from the PGI. In another case,the department was donated the body of Vijay Bansal,who passed away a few days ago. He was 72. “ The institute thanks Kanika Bansal for fulfilling the last desire of her husband,” the institute stated.

Bansal was a businessman and is survived by his wife and two sons—Vivek and Gaurav. They have also registered themselves for body donation with PGIMER,said department officials. The anatomy department at the PGI has received over 15 cadavers for teaching and research and most of these have been received in the last 5 years. The department said despite the society’s beliefs over the last rites and religious ceremonies,the number of cadaver donations has gradually picked up over the recent years.