Notice to health ministry, UT on Dr Raj Bahadur's appointment

CHANDIGARH: Appointment of Dr Raj Bahadur as principal director of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, came under the scanner of Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday through a writ petition challenging his continuation on the post even after attaining the age of 58.
After hearing the petition, Justice Jasbir Singh of the high court issued notice to the Union ministry of health and family welfare, UT administration and Raj Bahadur for October 21 asking them to file their reply on the contentions raised by the petitioner.
In his petition, a local lawyer, Ranjan Lakhanpal, asserted before the court that Bahadur was selected and appointed as principal director of GMCH for one year on December 1, 2007 till November 30, 2008.
The petitioner further said that despite the completion of tenure, Bahadur was given another extension of one year contrary to the rules, despite the fact that he was to retire on June 4, 2009 on attaining the age of 58 years.
It was also pointed out that Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in a judgment had ruled that the principal of GMCH Chandigarh has to retire on attaining the age of 58 years and even the previous principal.
Seeking the removal of Raj Bahadur, counsel for the petitioner alleged that UT administration has extended the tenure of Raj Bahadur as principal beyond June 4, 2009, in violation of the rules and the judgment of CAT Chandigarh, and thus he should be removed from the post.