Medical Education Secretary summoned on April 27 by Bombay HC

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday, reprimanded the Maharashtra Government for not obeying its orders to appoint the senior most professor as Head or Officer on Special duty(OSD)in the super specialty hospital (SSH). The Court has directed Medical Education and Research Secretary, Rajgopal Deora to remain present at the next hearing on April 27.

A division bench comprising Justice Atul Chandurkar and Justice Bhushan Gavai gravely asked the Secretary why contempt of court action should not be taken against him.

The appointing of Dr Mukund Deshpande as OSD of Super Specialty Hospital (SSH),by the State Medical Education and Drugs Department, despite him already heading cardiology and being overburdened, seems to have annoyed the court.

The court was hearing a PIL of CH Sharma and others, regarding lack of facilities in Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCHs) across Vidarbha. Earlier, amicus curiae Anup Gilda informed the court that Dr Deshpande had expressed his inability to take up additional charge, however, his plea went unheard.

Gilda citing a TOI report, also highlighted the fact that the Medical Council of India (MCI) had pointed at a series of deficiencies in Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) during an inspection held in October last year.

The education regulator’s team had found 10.26% fewer faculty and beds. This Gilda said was due to state government’s failure to create posts of six lecturers and three associate professors (APs). The MCI team in its submission had also pointed at equipment deficiencies like air conditioners and computers with internet facility in the IGGMC library.

When the MCI raised the issue of demolishing of class IV quarters and construction of new ones, the IGGMC set it aside saying that it would not be possible without government approval. Gilda at this point raised the issue of the government having failed to utilize a Rs. 3 crore grant while the SSH had Rs. 5 crore lying unused .

Gilda earlier also pointed out that Dr Manish Shrigiriwar, who had been appointed SSH's OSD, was suddenly transferred to Yavatmal and Dr Deshpande appointed in his place. Government pleader, Bharti Dangre, then filed an affidavit saying that Shrigiriwar was a very junior appointment and seven complaints had been registered against him.

The judges on being given the information, asked the government whether any set of rules while appointing HODs/OSDs for other departments had been formulated reports the TOI.