SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 8: The removal of two medical college superintendents within just seven months has raised concerns over the Jharkhand Health Department’s decisions.
The superintendents, Dr. Shikha Rani of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH) Jamshedpur and Dr. Dharmendra Kumar of Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Palamu, were appointed based on seniority.
High Court’s Directive on Appointments
Both Dr. Shikha Rani and Dr. Dharmendra Kumar were appointed as superintendents of their respective hospitals on September 20, 2024, following a directive from the High Court.
Dr. Shikha Rani, a professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Dr. Dharmendra Kumar, a professor in the Department of Eye, had been promoted to the post of professor along with 27 associate professors in June 2024.
Reasons for Removal
Sources reveal that Dr. Shikha Rani was removed from her position due to administrative issues, as she reportedly failed to manage the responsibilities of the hospital effectively. In contrast, Dr. Dharmendra Kumar voluntarily left the position and transferred to Dhanbad from Palamu.
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Legal Perspective on Government’s Authority
A senior professor from the medical college pointed out that while both individuals were appointed based on the High Court’s ruling, the state government retains the authority to remove any principal or superintendent on administrative grounds. As such, Dr. Shikha Rani cannot challenge her removal.
This follows a precedent set in 2013 when the then-health minister, Rajendra Prasad Singh, removed the principal and superintendent of Patliputra Medical College Hospital (now SNMMCH) Dhanbad on similar grounds.
Historical Precedents in Medical College Appointments
In 2010, the state government made its first-ever appointments of principals and superintendents for PMCH Dhanbad and MGMMCH Jamshedpur through a commission.
While there were allegations of political vindictiveness during the 2013 removals of senior professors like Prof. Arun Kumar Choudhary, neither he nor Prof. Arun Kumar challenged the decision in court.
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Current Seniority List and Government Appointments
As per the High Court’s directive, the state government appointed senior teachers from all five medical colleges to the positions of principals and superintendents in September 2024.
The current senior-most teachers in the state’s medical colleges include Prof. Arun Kumar Choudhary (Principal, PJMCH Dumka), Prof. Diwakar Hansda (Principal, MGMMCH), and Prof. SK Singh (Principal, SBMCH Hazaribagh), Dr SK Chourasia (Principal SNMMCH), Prof (Dr) RK Mandhan (Superintendent MGMMCH).
Dr. UK Ojha, Head of the Department of Medicine at SNMMCH, is the fifth senior-most teacher. Dr. Ojha, who did not apply for the principal or superintendent role last year, is set to retire in May 2025.
