Prof Dr Naresh Panda, HOD ENT appointed as Dean Academics of PGI Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Dr Naresh Panda, Professor and Head of Otolaryngology (ENT) department, has been appointed as the Dean (academics) of the premier health institution, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI Chandigarh). 

This came 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, as was the case at AIIMS and other medical institutions.

As per a recent media report in the Hindustan Times, after considering the submissions of both parties, the bench ruled, “If the person in question is allowed to continue working beyond his retirement age, it might prevent the appointment of other qualified people to the same position. This could delay the chances of others who are hoping to apply for the job. People generally expect that those who have reached the retirement age will retire on the specified date, making way for others to apply for the position.”