Alleging violation of reservation policy in the faculty selection process at AIIMS, a section of faculty members has urged the Government to constitute a Parliamentary and judicial committee to look into the issue.
A group of faculty members, under the aegis of Forum for Rights and Equality, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that a special recruitment drive should be conducted to fill all the existing vacant posts for SC, ST/OBC categories at all levels, including for the faculty.
A faculty member alleged that out of total advertised 96 posts, only 76 candidates were selected. Majority of the reserved posts were left vacant on the ground that no suitable candidate was found.
“This grave matter of violation of reservation policy of Government of India in AIIMS, New Delhi, was also discussed in the floor of Parliament and assurance was given by the Union Health Minister that the ongoing process of selection of faculty will be reviewed and ‘zero tolerance’ to violation of reservation policy will be ensured.
“Despite these assurances, the AIIMS administration in blatant disregard to Parliament and Government of India, went ahead and declared the results of faculty selection for 2015 with gross violation of reservation policy on numerous counts,” they said in the letter.
Besides review of the selection process, the group demanded a mechanism for optimal implementation of reservation policy at AIIMS and the appointment of a ‘parliamentary reservation implementation committee’ to monitor implementation of reservation policy in all medical institutions of the country.
It is pertinent to mention that an independent agency like Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Board (SSB) should be entrusted with the recruitment and promotions of faculty and staff respectively said Parliament’s Standing Committee report on AIIMS. Also, in the past there have been many instances of violations in the faculty and staff selection, said sources.
According to AIIMS source, the recruitment process of the faculty and staff should be objective. Instead, the medical institute is doing the favoritism towards the candidates. “There is no check and balance system here. Most number of employees are relative of other employees”, the sources added.
“In UPSC there is very elaborate system and the selection process is objective. For senior faculty members, like Group A and B officer UPSC should appoint, where as Group C officers should be appointed by Staff Selection Board.” And, this will create objective recruitment at AIIMS, added the source.