The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has taken strong exception to the recruitment process for the post of Assistant Professor for 2021 in the premier institute, saying that it is not only ‘faulty’ and ‘confusing’ but also ‘discriminatory’.
The RDA has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandivya and AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria to intervene and rectify process to ensure justice to all candidates and avoid confusion and delays in future.
As per letter, last November, the process of permanent appointment of 252 faculty-level (Assistant Professor) doctors was started in 56 departments, which is still pending.
“Now as per new notification issued in May, posts have been advertised again in seven of these departments. In such a situation, the doctors who have already applied for appointment are confused whether to apply again for new appointment or not.”Also, “last date for eligibility for previous notification was December 15, 2021 and for current notification it is June 30.
It is pertinent to mention that seven departments/specialties including ENT, Medical Physics, Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Hospital Administration, Pathology and Cardiology have vacancies in both the notifications.
This gives extra advantage to applicants of these select few departments while putting all others at a disadvantage as they cannot apply as per latest notification which opens from 1 June.
“This would also further narrow down competition, as only one more batch would be eligible from these select departments, following the previous notification,” said letter. “Why has recruitment process been initiated again in seven departments and not in all others? This is discriminatory.
This can be challenged in the court as well,” said a RDA member. The RDA maintained that equal opportunity should be given to applicants and competition needs to be broadened with more eligible candidates. A large fraction (about 30-60 per cent) of the faculty vacancies advertised in Institutes of National Importance in the last one year remained vacant after interviews.
“It is, therefore, pertinent to ensure wider participation and competition in the ongoing faculty recruitment drive at the AIIMS to avoid this pitfall of seats going vacant even after the recruitment drive.”
This is not only a waste of the institute's time and resources but also can potentially impair patient care due to lack of faculty members, the RDA said.
In case of notification 2021, it has been more than six months but the interview process has not been initiated till date and yet another notification has been issued (May 2022). This has denied opportunities to numerous candidates and added to the confusion, it said.
The RDA has now urged the Government to extend the last date for eligibility till August, 31 in view of inordinate delays to provide equal opportunity to all candidates, citing precedence in the past also.