Govt appoints Dogra as acting AIIMS directorBS Reporter / New Delhi December 01, 2007Even as the Supreme Court is to hear the petition challenging the removal of P Venugopal as director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), on Monday, the central government has, through a faxed message, announced the appointment of senior doctor T D Dogra as acting director for one month.Dogra was once suspended by the central government for being sympathetic to Venugopal in his fight against Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on the issue of the director's post.AIIMS sources said the central government communication was "vague" and felt the "acting director" would take charge only later. "Anybody can become acting director. The communication itself is not clear. Nothing has changed as of now," an AIIMS faculty said.The centre had removed P. Venugopal as director of AIIMS after the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, which aimed at fixing the retirement age limit of directors at AIIMS and PGI, Chandigarh recieved Presidential nod. The bill was notified within hours of its receiving Presidential assent.A section of AIIMS doctors and political parties have been alleging that the bill itself was aimed at targetting the 66-year old Venugopal who is not in good terms with the Health Minister. The appointment of the temporary director was carried out by Ramdoss in his capacity as AIIMS president.The ministry is known to have convened a meeting of the governing and institute bodies on December 7. The institute body will constitute a committee, which will recommend a name for the next AIIMS director.A lot now depends on how the Supreme Court treats Venugopal
