Srinagar, Nov 23 (KNS): The Health minister Lal Singh is making hectic efforts to get inducted as the Vice- Chairman of the SKIMS governing body- a bid which is unconstitutional and tantamount to throwing rules to the wind.
Sources told KNS that Health Minister Choudary Lal Singh has moved the file seeking his induction in SKIMS governing body on the post of the vice chairman. The file pertaining to the subject, as per insiders, is at GAD and is awaiting the nod of the chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who is also the chairman of SKIMS governing body.
Despite the fact that there is no post of the chairman at SKIMS, the unconstitutional measure has raised several eyebrows within the state dispensation with some terming it tantamount to eroding the constitution of SKIMS governing body.
Sources said that there are three main posts of the governing body which is of the Chairman, chief secretary and the director. The chief minister of the state acts as the chairman of the governing body while as there is a chief secretary and the director of the institute who play vital roles as formulated by the constitution. There are various members also from whom suggestions are sought when needed. The finance minister and the health minister, as per rules, occupy the position of members.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
But, despite being the member of the governing body, the incumbent health minister Lal Singh wants the post of the vice- chairman SKIMS for himself- something which goes contrary to the laid down norms and rules.
Top sources within the government revealed that earlier there was a trust operational for SKIMS which had the post of the Vice chairman. After Mufti assumed office after the 2002 polls in the state, the SKIMS trust was abolished and so was the post of the vice chairman. “At that time when the trust was operational, it was Ali Matoo who was holding the post of the vice chairman. Bu as the trust got abolished, he was relieved from his services,” sources said.
Now, when the governing body of the institute is functional as per the laid down procedure, the creation of the vice chairman’s post could set the cat among pigeons in the state- making the experts wonder that how could the constitution be undermined and overlooked sans any remorse that too in open.
Meanwhile, there are reports coming to fore that the chief minister is yet to give nod too such a post and that the file is under consideration at the GAD. (KNS)