Conceived in 2006, the much-hyped All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS)-like institutes at Patna, Jodhpur, Raipur, Rishikesh, Bhopal and Bhubaneswar are still struggling with manpower shortage, defeating the purpose for which they were built.
Of 1,830 sanctioned posts of faculty members in the six institutions, just 704 posts have been filled as on January 1, 2018, according to the Government data. (see box 2)
The situation of non-faculty manpower is worse. Of total 22,656 sanctioned posts, a mere 18 per cent vacancies have been filled. (see box 1)
In the absence of regular staff, additional deployment on outsourcing basis has been done for 2,548 posts in all the six AIIMS-like institutes.
Talking about the steps being taken to fill up the vacancies, an official said for Bhopal AIIMS, 251 vancancies have been advertised out of which 116 faculty members have been empanelled. Ninety-six candidates have joined, while 11 candidates have sought extension. Advertisement for remaining faculty positions is being done shortly, he said.
Similarly, for Bhubaneswar AIIMS, advertisement for 179 vacancies was published last March and 72 candidates were empanelled. But only 39 candidates, including nursing faculty members, have joined so far. Rest of the candidates are expected to join over next 2-3 months, said the officer.
At Raipur AIIMS, all the 70 posts are being advertised because the first attempt to empanel faculty did not succeed, said an official. In Rishikesh, 163 faculty posts were advertised last June, of which 46 were empanelled. While fifteen candidates joined, rest of the candidates may join over next 2-3 months.
While Patna AIIMS had advertised 252 posts, appointment orders for 91 faculty posts have been issued.
In fact, AIIMS in the national Capital too is ailing with faculty shortage. As many as 191 faculty posts are vacant at the AIIMS in Delhi because of the pending litigation in High Court relating to two streams of professors.