PGI Dean Academic Appointment: CAT grants interim relief to Dr Naresh Panda

Chandigarh: Dr Naresh Panda, a distinguished professor and head of department of ENT at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh, will maintain his interim role as Dean (Academics) until May 7. This came after the professor challenged the ministry’s order of appointment of Dr Surjit Singh as the new dean.  

Dr Surjit Singh is currently serving as the professor and head of paediatric medicine department. Dr Panda approached the Central Administrative Tribunal challenging the appointment as he was a senior to Dr Singh. 

According to the Hindustan Times, the argument surrounding the appointment of the dean (academics) dates back to March 8, when the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced the appointment of Dr Surjit Singh to the position, replacing Dr Panda from his officiating charge. Dr Panda promptly contested this decision before the CAT, citing his seniority over Dr Singh in the professorial hierarchy. Notably, Dr Panda is slated for retirement in June. 

Dr Panda's challenge hinges on procedural irregularities in the appointment process. He contends that the ministry traditionally solicits a panel of candidates from the PGIMER director for consideration. Strikingly, the panel submitted by the director featured Dr Panda's name, omitting Dr Singh's. Nevertheless, the ministry proceeded to appoint Dr Singh, contrary to the established protocol, as per Dr Panda's submissions. Furthermore, the evidence presented to the CAT included a note from the director's recommendations to the ministry, where Dr Singh's nomination was conspicuously absent, reports The Daily. 

In response to Dr Panda's plea, CAT issued an interim order on March 11, restraining PGIMER from accepting Dr Singh's joining report as dean (academic). However, on March 19, Dr Singh petitioned CAT to vacate the stay order. However, the court stated that the interim injunction would continue until the next hearing.  The court has listed the next hearing on April 8. The last proceedings were expected to shed light on the status of the case. However, with responses pending from PGIMER and the Union government, the tribunal opted for a simple adjournment, prolonging the legal standoff. The respondents have been instructed to furnish their replies before the next hearing. 

The appointment of Dean has been a long-standing issue for PGIMER. Dr Naresh Panda was appointed as the Dean of PGIMER after the Central Administrative Tribunal's Chandigarh bench nullified the March 31 ruling maintaining the status quo regarding Dr Rakesh Sehgal's retirement.  Dr Sehgal has contested the PGIMER's decision to have him retire at age 65. He had petitioned the Central Administrative Tribunal, asking that the respondents—PGIMER and the Ministry of Health—be instructed to allow him to continue working until he was 70 but his appeal was rejected.