New director: Azad to decide on head of search panel

The PGIMER has already sought nominations for the post from vice-chancellors of universities,directors of the centres or institutions of medical education and research,members of the institute body of PGI Chandigarh and principals of medical colleges across India.

The upper age limit for a person to be selected as director has been fixed at 60 years. However,the age limit can be relaxed by two years for a “highly competent” person. Sources said that several contenders have objected to this on the ground that it will give the new director only three years to perform his duties,which is too short for anyone who wants to bring about long-lasting changes.

However,there are others who believe that “a highly competent person heading the institute for three years is much better than an incompetent person” heading the institute for five years.

Senior professors and several other retired government officials interested in the top post will submit their applications,documents and CVs to the search committee. The committee may also interact with those who will be shortlisted.

Over top 10 professors from PGIMER are among those in the race for the post. The faculty association of PGI has demanded that the next director should be from the institute. They have even submitted a memorandum to Azad in this regard at the Institute Body meet.

Azad was non-committal about the demand. When asked,he had said: “What can I say?”

Director Professor K K Talwar retires on May 1,after serving the PGIMER for seven years. He has hinted that he was not interested in an extension.