Interim Election Government Chairman Khil Raj Regmi has warned of strong action against Tribhuvan University officials if they fail to appoint dean at the Institute of Medicine by Monday.

Regmi’s order comes in the wake of mounting pressure on the government to resolve the standoff at the IoM that ensued when Dr Govinda KC resumed a hunger strike on Saturday, demanding the appointment of dean on the basis of seniority and professional experience.

Dr KC ended his 14-day hunger strike on January 24 after a four-member government taskforce headed by Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office Krishna Hari Baskota assured him that his demands would be addressed at the earliest.

In a meeting with TU vice-chancellor, rector and registrar in the presence the education minister, the health minister, the chief secretary at his residence in Baluwatar on Sunday, Regmi told TU officials that they better be prepared to face ‘consequences’ if the dean is not appointed immediately.

Regmi, who is the ex-officio chancellor of the university, said the TU officials’ irresponsibility was the root cause of the current problem at the IoM and the TU Teaching Hospital. “Chairman Regmi sought clarification from the TU officials for the delay and directed an immediate appointment,” said Education Minister Madhav Poudel.

TU officials, in response, told him that they have no authority to appoint the dean unless a committee recommends names for the post. “We told him that the university cannot breach legal provisions only to fulfil the demands of Dr KC,” TU Registrar Chandra Mani Poudel told the Post.

On February 4, the TU formed a three-member committee led by Dr Krishna Kumar Oli to recommend a candidate for the post.

Dr Deepak Mahara resigned from the committee on Saturday expressing dissatisfaction at recommending names for the dean from professors other than those from the IoM.

According to Poudel, the vacancy on the panel will be filled on Monday. “TU Executive Council will appoint the dean immediately after the committee recommends candidates,” he said.

Regmi also expressed displeasure at the appointment of Dr Ratendra Shrestha as the acting director of the teaching hospital. The Council on Saturday endorsed the resignation of Dr Bhagwan Koirala and appointed Shrestha as the acting director for a three-month term.

The situation worsened as faculty members and resident doctors at the hospital protested Dr Shrestha’s appointment. They kept him off the hospital saying that they cannot work under a “controversial figure”.

Dr Shrestha has been speaking against Dr KC’s protest. Some 21 department heads among the 27 at the hospital have started a “non-cooperation movement” while resident doctors have threatened strike at the OPD from Monday.

Dr Kishor Khanal, president of the Resident Doctors’ Association, said they have decided not to attend the OPD unless Dr Shrestha resigns.

“TU officials compelled Dr Koirala to resign. This is unacceptable to us and we will intensify protest for just appointments of both the dean and the director,” he said.

Earlier in the day, over 300 doctors and students picketed the executive director’s office, preventing Dr Shrestha from taking charge.

In the course, a minor clash erupted between the police deployed there and the agitating doctors. Security presence is heavy at the TUTH.

source: the himalayan times,10 feb 2014