AIIMS director humiliated yet again

NEW DELHI: Reflecting the differences between Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal, an order issued by the eminent doctor was described as 'null and void' by an official junior to him.

In escalation of the feud, Medical Superintendent Dr D K Sharma on Saturday rejected an order issued by Registrar V P Gupta which had said that the Director has ordered release of salary to the anti-reservationist Resident Doctors during their strike period last month.

"It is clarified that the orders issued by the Director, AIIMS, only pertains to the completion of the scheduled academic term of the residents."

"If any such order regarding sanction/release of salary to the resident doctors for the strike period has been issued, it is null and void since no administrative/financial approval was granted for the release of salary," Sharma said in a communication.

Gupta had said that Venugopal had also ordered adjustment of the strike period for 17 days between May 15 and May 31 last when the resident doctors struck work.

When contacted Sharma said the order for release of pay was "wrongfully issued" by the registrar.

Ramadoss and Venugopal have been at loggerheads with the ministry alleging that the anti-quota agitation, which paralysed medical services in the institute, had the tacit support of the Director.