Exit Venugopal, enter Ramadoss?

Students fear they may be targetted after AIIMS director’s retirement

NEW DELHI: The two-year-long tussle between P Venugopal and health minister Anbumani Ramadoss finally ended on Tuesday with the AIIMS director’s retirement.

Though Venugopal supporters knocked at the Delhi high court’s door seeking extension of his tenure, the court vehemently turned down their “motivated” pleas.
Meanwhile, doctors and students are fearing a backlash from the health minister, as they had stood by Venugopal and also protested the 27% OBC quota.

“We could be targetted because we stood by the director, but there is no regret because he was working for the benefit of the institute. We all know the health minister is only interested in playing politics,” said a resident doctor.

“I have no regrets, controversies are part of the job,” Venugopal said on his last day in office.

He said he would set up an AIIMS-like institute in Delhi and faculty and residents could join him if they wanted to. “I will not sit idle after leaving AIIMS and would continue to serve the people. There are some plans and we are in consultations,” Venugopal said.

He said he would start an institute not far from AIIMS, which will have branches all over the country.
Venugopal would be replaced by TD Dogra, who has been appointed acting director of the institute.