Govt panel shortlists three

Azad issues directive on full fledged NEIGRIHMS director

From Our Special Correspondent

 NEW DELHI: A week after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured to look into the affairs of the North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), the Union Health Ministry cracked a whip to expedite the process of appointing a full fledged Director for the super specialty hospital.

Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad contacted the shortlisted candidates and enquired if they were eager to serve in NEIGRIHMS for their full term with the present terms and conditions.

Some of them reportedly wanted dual posting which the Minister reportedly refused to accept, sources said

The Ministry has shortlisted three candidates- two from the institute itself and one form Jammu and Kashmir for the top post. The names have also been sent to the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet for approval, official sources said on Tuesday.

Dr Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Guwahati had assured to speak to the Union Health Minister about this issue and to iron out the problems faced by the institute.

The medical institute is currently operating without a full-fledged Director. Dr Santa Singh was appointed as the Acting Director for a period of six months after the previous incumbent Dr ME Yeolekar tendered his resignation last year under controversial circumstances.

The current year is very significant for NEIGRIHMS as the Medical Council of India (MCI) team is expected to visit the institute later this year to find out whether it meets the minimum requirement of faculties as prescribed by the MCI.