RTI reveals over 100 senior non-faculty posts vacant at PGI Chandigarh
Chandigarh: Over 100 Group A non-faculty posts are currently lying vacant at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, which records an average OPD footfall of more than 10,000 patients daily from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, according to a recent Right To Information (RTI) reply.
The vacant posts include crucial positions such as principals, lecturers in nursing, lecturers in medical technology and radiology, administrative officers, medical physicists, dieticians, and security officers.
According to the RTI data, PGIMER is grappling with a severe staff crunch in categories of employees responsible for overseeing thousands of Group B employees while maintaining discipline, administrative efficiency, and teaching standards. The prolonged vacancies have raised concerns that the quality of medical education at the premier institute may be adversely affected.
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The RTI application was filed by Ashwani Munjal, chairman of the Joint Action Committee of the Contract Workers’ Union, who sought to know the exact number of vacant positions in Group B and the reason behind the scarcity.
In response, the institute revealed that nearly 100 Group B posts are vacant. These positions are considered vital for ensuring smooth administrative and academic functioning. The reply further pointed out that the vacancies persist due to stalled recruitment processes caused by disputes over rules, tribunal directions, and the lack of eligible feeder cadre officers. In some cases, even after posts were advertised, no suitable candidates applied.
Expressing serious concern over the severe shortage at the premier institute, Munjal told HT, "PGI has provided information regarding vacant posts of Group A non-faculty, which revealed that about 100 top-level Group A posts are vacant. These 100 top-level officers are responsible for controlling and supervising thousands of Group B staff. The vacant posts include principals and lecturers who are responsible for teaching nursing students."
"One can imagine the plight of discipline and educational standards and quality in the absence of about 100 top-level Group A non-faculty and teaching posts. The acting or officiating arrangements have plagued the institute with indiscipline and sycophants," he added.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that 131 out of 732 sanctioned faculty positions are vacant at PGIMER. The institute has 1874 out of 8265 sanctioned non-faculty positions unfilled. So, PGIMER has around 17.8% vacant faculty and 22.6% vacant non-faculty positions.
