AIIMS Director Venugopal dismissed

NEW DELHI: All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Director Dr P Venugopal was ousted from his post at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on charges of violating the code of conduct after a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister A Ramadoss passed the resolution for his removal.

The three-hour-long meeting of a 17-member body of the Institute passed the resolution for Venugopal's ouster despite three members expressing a voice dissent, senior BJP leader V K Malhotra told reporters.

Describing the development as blackest and saddest day, Malhotra said Ramadoss suddenly brought in a supplementary resolution seeking removal of Dr Venugopal.

The Health Minister said Venugopal can be given three months' salary and asked to go. Three of the members voiced their dissent over the ouster, he said.

It was a humiliation to person of Venugopal's repute, Malhotra said and accused the UPA government of destroying the autonomy of the premier institution brick-by-brick.

Venugopal, who was asked to sit outside the meeting hall when the issue concerning him was being taken up for discussion, did not talk to the waiting reporters.

After the meeting, Ramadoss made a brief statement saying the Institute body of AIIMS met and gave its recommendation to the Centre. "Since it is a privileged information, I cannot divulge details", he said.

Malhotra accused Ramadoss of taking decision in the name of code of conduct without giving an opportunity to Venugopal was taking the name of highest authority, "It was not done even in emergency. It was a draconian step", he said charging the Minister with pursuing his political agenda.

Observing that the decision would have to go before the Appointments Committee of Cabinet, he said BJP would raise the issue in Parliament, Malhotra said.

"No procedure was adopted and such a serious issue was not on the agenda," the BJP leader said.