Controversy: VIMSAR director revokes promotion list day after issuing it; doctors cry foul

Odisha: Controversy has erupted after the Director of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Dr Lalit Kumar Meher initiated a promotion process for professors and associate professors and revoked it the very next day. The act has now sparked a conflict of interest between the authorities and the doctors, wherein, alleged irregularities in the promotion process and improper adherence to protocols is being stated.

It has to be noted that as per the norms, the list, and approval process can be cancelled only after one year.

According to a recent media report by Orissa Post, the entire controversy revolves around the promotion process which was initiated in October 2018. The selection committee of VIMSAR, responsible for selecting the doctors eligible for promotion, presented a list of names who have been finalized for the promotions. The selection committee has given their consent on the matter and presented the list to the managing committee of VIMSAR.

However, due to unknown reasons, the promotion list was not finalized at the time and all of a sudden a few days ago a list was prepared which allotted promotion to many of the senior doctors.

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The doctors who have been chosen for promotions include Dr. Sunil Kumar Behera, Dr. Butungeswar Pradhan, Dr. Prakash Chandra Panda, Dr. Dulal Kishun Soren, Dr. Brajabihari Panda, Dr. Kabita Manjari Majhi, Dr. Sunil Kumar Sharma, Dr. Sachidananda Pandey, Dr. Lagendra Kumar Singh, Dr. Bipin Kishore Kulu, Dr. Sanjay Kujur, Dr. Sitanshu Kumar Meher and Dr. Mahendra Kumar Ekka, reports the daily.

However, the sources informed the Orissa Post that Dr. Ekka did not get a nod for promotion as he was considered to be lacking in inexperience and was also junior as compared to the other doctors.

In clarification of the matter, the director of VIMSAR stated that the process was due for a long time and he approved the promotions but later he realized that the promotion of Dr. Ekka was not justified. "This was a pending process that I approved. After I realized that Dr. Ekka's promotion was improper, I had to cancel this office order," Dr Meher told Odissa Post.

The sudden decision of the authorities has shaken the doctors as questions are raised as to how the promotion was given and even cancelled again without consulting with the Managing Committee and the Selection Committee.