Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072754561400.htm

National

Commission probing “discrimination” in AIIMS

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is probing allegations of “gross injustice” and “violation” against Scheduled Castes (SC) doctors and students in the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

NCSC chairperson Buta Singh is looking into the allegations of discrimination against SC students and doctors as regards its reservation policy.

The Commission has so far held two sittings on this issue and had found instances of “injustice” and “violation” against the Scheduled Caste students and doctors on the campus. The SC students have separate hostels and mess and are even discriminated against by the faculty, he said.

The third hearing of the Commission is scheduled next month and the Commission has decided to summon all members of the AIIMS Governing Body, including Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss before finalising their report as the AIIMS Director P. Venugopal had blamed the Governing Body for mismanagement in the Institute.

The Commission began the probe following complaints from the reserved category senior resident doctors, who said that instead of allotting 50 per cent quota seats to them, the authorities gave appointment letters to only 24 out of the 106 selected candidates.

Hunger strike

A large number of these reserved category doctors has been on a relay hunger strike since July 18 at the Institute.

“My subject matter is the Thorat Committee report that has found Dr. Venugopal guilty of playing a proactive role in the anti-quota agitation. I will submit my report to the President,” Mr. Singh added.