No MP in PGI governing body meet on Sept 15

CHANDIGARH: The first governing body (GB) meeting of PGI to be chaired by health minister Harsh Vardhan on September 15 in New Delhi, will be having no newly elected member of Parliament. According to director general health services, the government was not aware of this and will soon elect members of this body. Some of the main decisions including the appointment of the dean of PGI will be taken by the previous government's elected GB members.
As per PGI's Act, the GB includes 16 members, out of which one member is elected by the members of the institute from amongst the three MPs elected to the institute body of PGI. "The election could not be held as the government was not aware. Soon these members will be elected," said an official in the union ministry, Dr Jagdish Prasad, DGHS. There are 10 ex-officio members in the GB.
Previously, Chandigarh's former MP, Pawan Kumar Bansal, had been a member of the GB and participating in these crucial meetings. "I have not got any intimation for the meeting or that I am a member," said Kirron Kher, city's MP.
The GB is PGI's major decision taking body which is finally endorsed by the IB. "We have never come across such an issue since the inception of PGI. After the government notifies the union health minister as the president of the IB, a panel is constituted under him. This panel elects the GB members. Why this has not happened in last three months is not understandable," said a senior faculty member in PGI.
Another major issue which will be in the meeting's agenda is on assessment of the faculty based on the number of patients seen and research publications. The issue gained controversy as it excluded the annual assessment of professors. "The matter will be taken up for amendment and will be passed after few revisions," said a faculty member.