New Delhi: Even before premier medical institute — All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) — could start functioning in six other cities in the country, large scale irregularities in the appointment of faculty members of these institutes have come to light.
The Union ministry of health and family welfare has sought CBI probe into the alleged irregularities committed in the appointment of faculty members in the ‘ophthalmology’ department in these medical institutes which are being set-up in Patna, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Rishikesh and Raipur.
Sources in the health ministry said, “There are allegations that merit list and marks of certain selected candidates were manipulated, especially in the selection process of faculty for ophthalmology.
Besides, appointments of some faculty members of departments like — anatomy, physiology, bio-chemistry, community medicine & family medicine and trauma and emergency have also come under the scanner”.
The ministry has decided to refer the case to the CBI for a thorough probe, they added.
“Process for the recruitment for faculty members of six new AIIMS was concluded in the first half of 2013. Total 90 posts have to be filled for 27 departments. Initially, ministry received a complaint from three experts of ‘ophthalmology’ in this regard”, sources said.
The complaint was also forwarded to the vigilance section of the ministry in August 2013, they added.
The process of recruitment of faculty for all six AIIMS has been going on for the last three years.
Initially advertisement for faculty positions in 27 departments was published in December 2011 by the ministry.
The ministry also constituted two selection committees in March 2012 for the purpose, sources said adding that if required the ministry may ask the CBI to probe the role, if any, of the committee members in this regard.
Earlier, the CBI in June 2011 had registered an FIR against several accused persons for allegedly manipulating the examination process of the AIIMS Post Graduate (PG) entrance test.
