Getting tough with AIIMS Director P Venugopal after he accused the Health Ministry of interfering in the functioning of the premier institute, the Government has asked him to explain why he went public on the issue.
"A letter has been sent to Dr Venugopal asking his explanation. It was wrong on his part to go public and rake up the issue in public," Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The minister was speaking after a meeting of the AIIMS faculty, doctors and students he was scheduled to address was abruptly called off. Ramadoss said the meeting would be held after two weeks.
"I have not cancelled the meeting. It has been postponed as 30 to 40 faculty members have gone on holiday. In two weeks, we will meet," Ramadoss said, putting on a brave face.
Asked whether he put off the meeting as some trouble was expected, Ramadoss said, "Absolutely not. It is my institute. I am part of the institute. I don't see any trouble. I want to address (the faculty and students)."
Venugopal last week accused the Health Ministry of interfering in the affairs of AIIMS and threatened to quit, but Ramadoss rubbished the charge and said he had only acted as the institute's administration had become "ineffective".
{{/usCountry}}Venugopal last week accused the Health Ministry of interfering in the affairs of AIIMS and threatened to quit, but Ramadoss rubbished the charge and said he had only acted as the institute's administration had become "ineffective".
{{/usCountry}}Ramadoss met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday and announced the setting up of a three-member panel headed by MS Valiathan, former director of Sri Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology in Kerala, to look into the functioning of AIIMS.