A week after his unceremonious removal, former Director of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Dr Tulsi Mahto on Tuesday termed the State health department's action as illegitimate, violation of set guidelines and conditions mentioned in the advertisement published for the appointment.
Mahto while confronting the logic presented by the Health and Family Welfare Department did not contradict the allegations of foul play by the high-ups doing rounds about his removal.
"I request you to see the advertisement published by the Government. In that it is mentioned that a person below 60 years can be appointed as Director and if the Governing Body deems fit and satisfied with his services he can be given extension for two more years provided his age is below 60 years at that time. Was my age over 60 years when I completed my three-year tenure on December 23, 2013IJ No, it was not," dissatisfied Mahto told The Pioneer on Tuesday.
Clause 9.3 of the RIMS Guideline 2003 also endorses Mahto's argument. It clearly says the appointment of a Director would be for a three-year tenure and if the Governing Body is satisfied with the performance of the person appointed it may provide extension for another two years with the recommendation of the Government.
Mahto's argument is that if he was given extension in December, 2013 when he had not attained the maximum age why he has been removed before completing two years of extended tenure and that also without any prior notice necessary as per the guideline. Dr SK Chaudhary, 61, has replaced Mahto to head the RIMS.
The Department though is tightlipped over the controversy and also after official position taken by its Principal Secretary BK Tripathi. Tripathi had clarified that the removal of Mahto was due to his non-communication about his age to the Government when he attained 60 years. Though there are officials within who term it a farce.
"Firstly, Mahto had not attained 60 years when the extension was granted. And also, is it the responsibility of an employee to inform the Government about his retirement ageIJ Does the Government not keep records," asked a senior official.
Talks are that the removal is a "correction exercise to manage" tenders going to be floated for the largest medical institute and hospital of the State. "This is a part of the larger game plan which intends to fix massive procurements and completion of large medical projects to be undertaken through a Corporation," said an official.
Notably, the Government is in the process to set up 'State Medical and Health Infrastructure Development and Procurement Corporation' for bringing speed, quality, and professionalism in the implementation of projects. It also proposed a separate corporation in the Department for procuring equipment, furniture, medicine, consumables etc. Going one step further, a notification, nominating Principal Secretary, Health, as Managing Director as an additional charge along with present Chairman in the Corporation has also been issued.
When asked whether he would resort to any legal remedy, Mahto, also a llB degree-holder besides Doctorate in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, did not refute. "I would not like to comment upon it and decide my future course of action later," said Mahto. Health Minister Rajendra Prasad Singh refused to comment on the issue.