Row over dean appointments: Doctor moves High Court
Head of the Forensic Medicine department at Nair Hospital, Dr Shailesh Mohite, filed the petition challenging the selection clauses put in place by the Maharashtra Public Services Commission (MPSC) in the appointment of deans at Sion and Nair hospitals.
“These clauses are ridiculous. For instance, it makes 32-year experience as associate professor as an eligibility requirement. It is practically impossible as a student can become an associate professor only by the age of 32 years. Another 32 years of work experience would mean that the person is 64 years, well over the retirement age,” Mohite said.
A Nagpada-based NGO recently wrote to the state minorities commission indicating that Dr Suleman Merchant, the current dean of Sion Hospital, who was in the running for the permanent post of dean, was being ‘victimised’ and ‘harassed’. The minorities commission in turn wrote protest letters to health minister Suresh Shetty and BMC commissioner.
“The process of selection is a combination of experience and qualification, hence certian clauses are required. The selection process is transparent and we put up details of candidates and eligibility criteria on our website,” said MPSC chairman Sudhir Thakre.
The appointment of Dr Sandhya Kamat as dean at KEM hospital was challenged a few weeks ago. Corporators claimed she was arbitrarily appointed and was not the senior-most candidate for the post. Additional municipal commissioner Manisha
