SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 30: Former secretary Dr. Bimlesh Kumar Singh is poised to be elected as the new president of the Jharkhand Health Service Association (JHSA), as no other candidate filed a nomination for the position. However, a direct contest is shaping up between Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh and Krishna Murari Singh for the post of secretary.
The JHSA election is scheduled for January 20, with today (December 30) being the last day to file nominations until midnight.
An election committee member reported that by 7 PM today, only one candidate, Dr. Bimlesh Kumar Singh of Ranchi Sadar Hospital, had filed a nomination for the president’s position. Outgoing president Dr. P.P. Sah chose not to seek re-election due to personal reasons. Another potential candidate, Dr. Shahir Pal, the Civil Surgeon of Jamshedpur, was widely speculated to contest the president’s post but decided to withdraw at the last moment.
Dr. Pal, a 1990 batch officer, is one of the most senior and active medical officers in JHSA. He has previously served as vice-president for three terms. Sources revealed that he was offered the vice-president position again by the JHSA group, but he declined, citing his unwillingness to work under a junior officer.
“Post does not matter. I will continue to support the JHSA team,” Dr. Pal stated.
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Members of JHSA from Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and other districts advocated for Dr. Pal’s appointment as president. They argued that, at the very least, he should be made a patron of the JHSA.
Secretary Post: A Direct Contest
The outgoing secretary, Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh of Ramgarh, is in a direct contest with Dr. Krishna Murari Singh of Ranchi for the secretary post. Former Jamshedpur IMA secretary, Dr. Mritunjay Kumar Singh, who is currently posted in Palamu and contested the 2022 elections, did not file a nomination this time.
Convener Post
The election for the convener post has three candidates in the running: Dr. Sharad Kumar of Deoghar, Dr. Sidheshwar Baskey of Ranchi, and Dr. Santosh Kumar of Ranchi. The ruling group has yet to decide whom to support for this position.
Treasurer Post
Outgoing treasurer, Stephen Xess of Ranchi, is set to be re-elected unopposed, as no other candidate has filed a nomination for the position.
Vice-President and Treasurer Posts Across Divisions
The eight vice-president posts and seven treasurer posts across different divisions are also expected to be filled without contest since no extra candidates have submitted nominations.
JHSA election committee officials stated that the final list of candidates for all posts would be announced after midnight tonight.