Chandigarh: In the history of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, for the first time, only 36 applications have been received for the post of PGI director. Out of these 36 candidates, 13 are from outside the institute.
The position has been lying vacant since November 1.
The last director, Dr Jagat Ram had retired on October 30 after serving as the director of the Institute for four years and seven months. Meanwhile, Dr Surjit Singh has been appointed as the officiating director of PGIMER, till a new permanent appointment takes place.
Also Read: PGIMER director Dr Jagat Ram retires
PGIMER had released a notification inviting applications for the director post on September 15, 2021.
According to a recent Times of India report, 13 out of the 36 candidates who applied for the post are from outside the institute of PGI. Two applicants from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, around 10 candidates from various AIIMS, and one from the Mayo clinic who is also a PGI pass out, have applied for the post.
"The search selection committee will be constituted for shortlisting the candidates after scrutiny. It is expected that the top 10 will be included after matching their eligibility and other criteria," an official in the ministry of health and family welfare told TOI.
However, the nominated candidates have been very few this time. Before this, around 100 candidates had applied for the post. Prepp reports that earlier more than 50 applications were received by the institute out of which half of them were called for interview. A faculty member of PGI was quoted as saying by the daily, "There have been times when over 100 applications had to be screened. But this has been the lowest-ever."
Also, 36% of the candidates who applied are from outside the institute. An official in the ministry stated, "Usually, the majority of those who apply are in-house. In the previous years as well, there have been few candidates who are not from the PGI."
The previous two directors of PGI, Dr Jagat Ram and Dr Yogesh Chawla used to work in PGI, whereas the director before them, Dr K K Talwar was from AIIMS, Delhi.
Many senior faculty members of PGI who have three to four years left for retirement have also applied for the post this time. The term of a director is five years or retirement, whichever comes earlier.
A committee would be screening the applications received and following an interview by the search and selection committee, the names would be shortlisted. After which, the top three names would be sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet which is chaired by the Prime Minister.
A faculty member of PGI stated, "As per PGI rules, till the time the final selection is made, which takes three to six months, the senior-most faculty member is given the officiating charge or it is up to the government to give the charge to someone."
He added, "There is apparently a crisis at the top as there are vacant posts in AIIMS as well for the post of the director. There are directors there given additional charge until a suitable candidate is not found."
Also Read: PGIMER Invites Applications For Director Post