SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 21: In a significant administrative overhaul, the Jharkhand government has appointed three new principals and five new superintendents to various medical colleges across the state. This move marks the first major shake-up in 14 years, following directives from the Jharkhand High Court (HC).
Dr KK Lal of MGMMCH Jamshedpur had filed a petition requesting the principal/superintendent position based on his seniority before his retirement.
Consequently, on August 6, the government asked senior professors from five medical colleges to submit their preferred postings as principals or superintendents. While most professors complied, a few, including Dr DP Bhushan and Dr UK Ojha of SNMMCH, did not provide their preferences.
Retention and new Principal appointments
According to a notification issued by Joint Secretary Lalit Mohan Shukla, only the senior-most professors Dr Arun Kumar Choudhary and Dr SK Singh have been retained in their current roles as principals of PJMCH Dumka and SBMCH Hazaribagh, respectively.
Dr Diwakar Hansda of MGMMCH has been appointed as the new principal of MGMMCH Jamshedpur, succeeding Dr KN Singh, who retired in July.
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Dr KK Lal has been appointed as the principal of SNMMCH Dhanbad, replacing Dr Jyotiranjan Prasad, who held charge of both principal and superintendent. Dr Prasad’s exclusion, despite being the fifth senior-most professor, raised questions.
Sources suggest that since Dr Prasad did not submit his choice as a principal, the Health Department did not consider him for the position.
Dr Paras Nath Mahto of MGMMCH has been appointed as the new principal of MMCH Palamu, replacing Dr Kamendra Prasad.
New Superintendent appointments
In the new appointments for superintendents, Dr Anukaran Purty, formerly the superintendent of PJMCH Dumka, has been assigned SBMCH Hazaribagh, replacing Dr Binod Kumar.
Dr SK Chourasia of SNMMCH has been appointed as the new superintendent of SNMMCH Dhanbad, a position that had been vacant since June following Dr AK Barnbal’s retirement.
Dr Ajay Kumar Choudhary of SBMCH has been named the new superintendent of PJMCH Dumka.
Dr Dharmendra Kumar of MMCH Palamu has been appointed as the new superintendent at the same college.
Additionally, Dr Sikha Rani of MGMMCH Jamshedpur has been made superintendent of MGMMCH, replacing Dr Ravindra Kumar, who had previously been the superintendent at PJMCH before moving to MGMMCH.
