The Hindu : National : "Remove Venugopal as AIIMS chief"

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Sunday, Jun 18, 2006

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National

"Remove Venugopal as AIIMS chief"

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Residents, students, interns and employees of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Saturday joined some senior facility members in demanding the immediate removal of Director P. Venugopal.

300 members sign

In a letter signed by over 300 members to be submitted to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday, the members have noted: "We strongly condemn the action of Dr. Venugopal in illegally calling a meeting of residents, faculty and students and coming up with false charges against the governing body, the Institute and the Health Ministry. His actions have lowered the dignity of AIIMS and other administrative posts."

The members said they condemned the manner in which "Dr. Venugopal instigated residents and students to harass and `gherao' the residence of Dean R. C. Deka for more than eight hours on Thursday. We appeal to you to immediately remove the Director before he can do further damage to the dignity of AIIMS."

``Manipulated''

A senior resident said: "While political interference in a premier health care facility comes with its own share of problems, we can't accept the dictatorship that we are forced to work under. The Institute staff and students have been manipulated and we don't want the same to continue unchecked. We are demanding the immediate removal of the Director."

Meanwhile, speaking about reports of Dr. Ramadoss having revoked Dr. Venugopal's order appointing the AIIMS Head of Forensic Department, T. D. Dogra, acting Director while he was on leave, Dr. Dogra said, "I am still the acting Director and I have no information otherwise."

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