'Outsider' appointed for professor post, faculty denied Preferred Posting despite being Top Candidate: HC issues notices to DME

Bhopal: The Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Madhya Pradesh has been issued notice by the Principal Bench of MP High Court in Jabalpur in two cases concerning the appointment of professors in two medical colleges.

One of these two pleas was filed by an Associate Professor at Government Medical College, Satna, who claimed that she was denied roster system benefit and an outsider was given preference for the post of Professor instead of giving preference to her- an Associate Professor of the same medical college.

The other plea was filed by a faculty of GMC Satna who challenged the decision of the authorities to deny him the posting as a Professor of forensic medicine department at the place of his choice i.e. at Seoni Medical College, even though he was on top of the list of selected candidates.

Issuing notice to the DME in both these pleas, the High Court has sought its response in these matters.

Also Read: Legality of Appointment of 91 Doctors questioned: HC Seeks response from AIIMS Bhopal

Plea Challenging Appointment of Outsider as Professor at GMC Satna: 

Filing the plea before the HC bench, an Associate Professor at GMC Satna questioned why an outsider was appointed as a professor instead of giving preference to the associate professor of the same medical college.

Although the government guidelines specify that a roster system has to be followed and the faculties in the same college will be given preference, the petitioner-doctor claimed that she was not given the benefit of the roster system in the appointment of a Professor at the medical college.

As per the latest media report by Free Press Journal, the petitioner Dr. Manjulata Shakya has been working at GMC Satna since 2023. Previously, she worked as an assistant professor from 2013 to 2018 at Shyam Shah Medical College in Rewa and from 2019 to 2023, she was an associate professor at GMC Datia.

According to the Gazette notification released by the State Government on April 20, 2023, while making appointments in the post of associate professor and professors, persons who are working will be provided with benefits under Rule 6 sub-clause 1 (B). In this regard, Rule 2, 3 and 4 clearly states that the persons who are working in the college will be given the benefit.

Despite these rules, Dr. Veena was appointed as Professor in Government Medical College, Satna even though she never worked at the institute.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner doctor, Advocate Aditya Sanghi argued that "It shows favouritism in appointments of post of professors in Govtmedical colleges. Secondly cut-off date was June 7, 2024, which was extended to June 28, 2024, to accommodate Dr Veena." Issuing notice to the DME, the HC Principal bench has asked it to file reply by August 13. 

While considering the plea, the MP High Court bench in Jabalpur issued notice to the DME, State Government and Commissioner of Public Health and Medical Education, the HC bench of Justice Vishal Mishra asked them to file a reply within four weeks.

"Issue notice to the respondents on payment of process fee within seven days by RAD mode. Notice be made returnable within four weeks," the Court mentioned in its order dated 15.07.2024.