Amid Allegations of norms violation in conducting elections, Health Department seeks explanation from TN Medical Council

Chennai: Considering the allegations about violation of norms in the conduct of Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) elections 2023, the State Health Department has decided to seek an explanation in this regard from the Council.

These allegations, lodged by a group of doctors, claimed that the incumbent Registrar of TNMC, Dr. R Shanmugam had been appointed while violating the norms. Although the rules required that the registrar should be below 60 years of age, but the functionary Registrar who have been appointed is above 60 years. 

While some of the doctors are concerned about unfair election, the Health Minister has assured that the polls would be conducted in a fair manner. Further, it has been decided that the Health Secretary would send a notice and seek explanation of TMC regarding the matter, adds TNIE.

Besides, the Department might also suggest changing the Registrar before the elections.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that TNMC had earlier informed all the doctors in the State about the upcoming election of the State Medical Council in January/February 2023.

Announcing about the upcoming election next year, the Council notice stated, "In accordance with the rule 2 in regard to the Elections to the Tamilnadu Medical Council, Chennai under Clause (f) of sub-section (1) of Section 5 of the Madras Medical Registration Act, 1914 (Act IV of 1914) as amended by the Madras Medical Registration (Amendment) Act XVI of 1938, notice is hereby given that an election of Seven members of the Council will have to be held in the month of January / February 2023."

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While the elections are scheduled for December 1-18, as per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, recently a group of doctors approached the State Health Department and expressed their concern that the upcoming elections would not be conducted in a fair way. Further, the doctors pointed out that while the registrar should be below 60 years of age, the age of the incumbent registrar was more than 60 years.

Informing about this, the Health Minister said on Tuesday that the Health Secretary would send a notice to the council seeking its explanation in this regard and the department would also suggest changing the registrar before the election.

Already a few pleas are pending before the Madras High Court regarding the TNMC polls. One of the pleas sought court direction for appointing a retired judge as the nodal officer for the elections of the State medical council. 

Referring to this, the State Health Minister Subramanian told the daily that the Government would take decisions in this regard on the basis of the outcome of the order. He further assured that the State would ensure that TNMC elections are held in a fair and democratic manner.

While the doctors have alleged violation of norms, the President of TNMC, Dr. K Senthil has reportedly dismissed such allegations and clarified that the appointment of the registrar have been in compliance with the norms.

In this regard, President Senthil told TNIE, "The registrar was appointed in 2019 as per norms. No rule was flouted in his appointment. The council appoints the registrar and the appointment is then sent to the government for ratification. The council can appoint a person above 60 years of age as its registrar."

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