The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has intervened in favour of a candidate for the post of director at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak. Vijay Goel, Minister of State in the PMO, has in a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala, requested him to consider the case of Dr M.S. Gupta, ad hoc professor in the department of medicine at the institute, for the post of director. A copy of the letter is in possession of The Indian Express. Vide his letter dated Feburary 6, 2002, Goel forwarded the bio-data of Gupta to Chautala, adding a request that he ‘‘would be grateful if his case is considered appropriately’’. Interestingly, Goel has, in his letter, described Gupta as professor and head of the department of medicine when he is an ad hoc professor since 1993. The selection of director is made by a high-powered selection committee headed by the Chief Secretary. It includes the Finance Commissioner of the Health and Medical Education department, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and experts from renowned medical institutions as its members. About a dozen aspirants, including a retired Army officer from a neighbouring state, are in the race for the post which is lying vacant since May last year. The vacancy came up when the state government removed Dr S.B. Siwach as director of the institute, reportedly without assigning any reason. After much dilly-dallying, the government has fixed April 3 for conducting interviews to fill the slot. According to service rules, seeking political favour for posting, transfer and appointment is punishable. Sources said the letter from the PMO has caused major embarrassment as until now, the balance was heavily tilted in favour of the retired Army officer. When contacted, Gupta said: ‘‘I am not aware of any such letter.’’ When told that the letter has become the talk of PGIMS and that The Indian Express had a copy, he said: ‘‘I have many well-wishers. Some of them might have approached Vijay Goel to write the letter.’’ Reached for comment, Minister Goel justified the letter. He said public grievance is the responsibility of every people’s representative. ‘‘If I am approached for redressal of a grievance, such as this case where the person thought his candidature is not being considered in spite of his eligibility, it is one’s duty to refer such a case for appropriate consideration,’’ Goel said. Gupta has, in the last one year, managed to become member of about a dozen important committees of the institute. Taking notice of his activities, G. Madhvan, then financial commissioner and secretary (medical education), wide letter no PS/FCM/2OOO dated September 19, 2000, warned Gupta not to level baseless allegations against anybody in the institute. Even in 1995, then commissioner and secretary (health and medical education) had warned Gupta to be careful in future as his explanation had been found to be unsatisfactory. Since the removal of Dr Siwach, the institute has seen four directors and ad hoc appointments has resulted in poor patient care. Some time ago, the high-powered selection committee had selected Dr. S.P. Kaushik for the director’s post but sources said he did not find favour with the government and his selection was cancelled.
