HC sets aside NIMS' appointment

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 14. The appointment of Dr S. Seshagiri Rao as Professor of Cardiology in the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, was set aside by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Mr Justice S. Ananda Reddy held that the selection of Dr Seshagiri Rao was not in accordance with the rules, as prescribed in the notification, and hence it was illegal and liable to be set aside.

In his writ petition, the petitioner, Dr. M. Ram Manohar Babu, who was also a contender for the professor's post, said that for the post of Professor, the qualification required was the degree of DM in Cardiology and 14 years teaching and or research experience in a research institution in the subject of speciality after obtaining the qualifying degree of MD, or 12 years of teaching and or research experience after DM. The selection committee counted the period of two years that Dr Seshagiri Rao served as Civil Assistant Surgeon in the Primary Health Centre at Dwaraka Tirumala, attached to Siddartha Medical College, Vijayawada, wherein the subject of cardiology was taught to students posted to the said PHC for receiving training.

Further, the Executive Registrar of the NIMS, who was Secretary to Selection Committee, prepared a note, pointing out the shortage of service of Dr Seshagiri Rao, if his service at the PHC was not counted.

The PHCs are intended to provide knowledge of primary health care to the rural community and not to teach specialised subjects like cardiology. The Judge said he found merit in this contention. Even by common understanding of the requirements of teaching and research experience in the subject of cardiology means the experience in the said subject as a speciality subject and not mere claim, the Judge held.

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Section  : Southern States
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