A massive resentment has occurred in a section of the staff of IHBAS (Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Science) over the continuation of its director Nimesh G Desai even after his tenure on extension ended on April 18.
Amidst a legal battle in the Delhi High court questioning the ‘arbitrary’ continuation of Desai, the Delhi Government is yet to issue a formal order or any communication to IHBAS. Desai superannuated on October 18, 2020 and his previous extension of six months is sub-juiced in Delhi High Court.
Thousands of patients are being treated for covid case in the hospital everyday besides the routine corona vaccination programme and the employees and medicos complained for want of a full time director. Sources said Desai has tested corona positive a day before his tenure ended and works from home for one of the largest medical facility of Delhi Government.
“The job responsibilities of Director of any medical institute require his availability round the clock and more significantly in these tough times. After the end of tenure of incumbent Director who continued on an extension, the State government is yet to take cognizance of the vacant position. Advertisement for the post was published in February this year,” a senior doctor of the IHBAS confided.
When contacted about the lapses, Delhi government sources said it is normal that Desai may be given another three months extension since the entire system in engaged in battling the deadly virus. But a section of employees and medicos of IHBAS said that giving another extension is likely to be violation of central recruitment rules and as per the norms the charge of vacant position and in this case Director IHBAS can be given to a senior most Professor of the institute.
The extension of Desai was challenged by a retired professor of IHBAS, Dr TB Singh, through a PIL in December 2020 following which a notice was issued to Delhi Government.
The government in between issued an advertisement to fill the position and simultaneously informed the court that Desai’s tenure was to end on April 18, 2021. While the matter could not be taken for hearing on March 23 in the PIL, the next date is scheduled for May 18, 2021.