Former Union Minister Dr Vallabhbhai Kathiria resigns as AIIMS Rajkot President

Rajkot: Days after Former Union Minister and BJP leader Dr Vallabhbhai Kathiria was appointed as the president of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rajkot, he has resigned from the top post following directions from the centre.

The central government appointed Kathiria as president of the AIIMS, Rajkot on August 17.

Talking to reporters, the surgeon-turned-politician said, “I have resigned from the post because I was told to do so by the (Union health) ministry on some technical grounds.” As per an official communication available in the public domain, Kathiria tendered his resignation on August 20 and the same was accepted on August 25.

The communication, dated August 28, was signed by Undersecretary to the Government of India Arun Kumar Biswas.

“I am directed to refer to your letter dated 20.08.2023 on the above subject and to inform that your resignation from the post of President, AIIMS Rajkot has been accepted by Hon’ble Health and Family Welfare Minister on 25.08.2023,” reads the order.

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The construction of AIIMS Rajkot is currently underway and the facility is expected to be fully functional in the next couple of months.

The premier medical institute has been established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) of the Union Health Ministry.

Kathiria completed his M.B.B.S. and M.S. (Masters in Surgery) from Renowned B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat and his LL.B degree from Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajkot for four consecutive terms between 1996 and 2004 on a BJP ticket. He served as the minister of state for health and family welfare in the Vajpayee government in 1999.

In 2011, the Gujarat government appointed Kathiria chairman of the Gauseva and Gauchar Vikas Board, an autonomous body.

In 2019, the veteran politician was named chairman of the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog (RKA) from (2019- 2021), set up for the conservation, protect on and development of cows and their progeny, by the Narendra Modi government.   

He has been conferred upon Rashtriya Uttakrishtata Samman 2009 Environment Award for his excellent work in saving the environment and climate change. He also bagged Dada Bhai Naorogi Industrial Peace and Development and Bharat Jyoti ards for national integration and economic growth.  

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