Thursday, June 15 2006 17:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Accusing Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss of 'unduly and intentionally' undermining the prestige and dignity of the premier AIIMS, its Faculty today (June 15, 2006) demanded his removal from the post of hospitals' President.

Resident doctors of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have also began a signature campaign demanding the resignation of Ramadoss as Health Minister and the institute's Dean.

The Faculty Association said in a statement here that "He (Anbumani Ramadoss) has been personally targeting AIIMS and victimising faculty members and other staff for vested interest and reasons best known to him. We demand his immediate removal as President of AIIMS."

"The Association also demanded immediate removal of the Dean, who was appointed by Ramadoss bypassing the procedure and many other senior faculties," it said.

"During the last two years there has been a systematic undermining of the institute and the authority of Director. I am disturbed with the humiliation to the respect and dignity of my faculty, officers, residents, students and staff," AIIMS Director P Venugopal said.

"It would be difficult for anyone to trample upon this great institute for vested interest," he said.

The faculty association members had gone to see Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and sought his intervention to restore the autonomy of the institute.

"AIIMS should be governed directly by President or the Prime Minister like a Central University with complete functioning autonomy to the local administration," the association said.

The Faculty Association also accused Officer on Special Duty to the Union Health Minister, D S Moorthy, of 'creating unrest' in the institute and demanded his removal.

"He (Moorthy) has been threatening the faculty members and issuing orders without the consent of AIIMS Director. He should be removed with immediate affect," the members said.

The Faculty Association claimed Moorthy has been occupying three rooms in the AIIMS guest house for nearly two years. The rooms are being used by his relations for residential purpose.

Moorthy on June 9 had also issued orders to replace AIIMS sub-Dean and Public Relations Officer, they claimed.

"In separate letters issued to the Director, he sought the replacement of AIIMS PRO Arti Vij with Shakti Gupta and Sub-Dean Neerja Bhatla with Sunil Chumber," they added.