AIIMS autonomy issue needs to be revisited by govt: Par Panel

The issue of autonomy of the AIIMS needs to be revisited by the Centre immediately and powers should be delegated at the institute-level to facilitate quick decision-making and optimal growth as a premier medical university, a Parliamentary Committee has recommended.
"It has its failures, drawbacks and impediments but it has substantial achievements too to its credit. The Committee therefore agrees that its growth needs to be fast-tracked.
"This will however remain wishful thinking if the Institute is not granted the requisite functional autonomy in truest sense. The question of autonomy in the context of the Institute needs to be revisited by the Government immediately and powers should be delegated at the Institute-level to facilitate quick decision making and optimal growth as a premier medical university," recommended a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its report submitted in Rajya Sabha today.

As far as vacancies and appointments are concerned, the Committee observed that in spite of providing ample budgetary support, in-position strength in respect of faculty is 594 against sanctioned strength of 826, that of non-faculty is 201 against sanctioned strength of of 347 and similar position exists in the case of Group 'B' and 'C' staff and Group 'A' (non-faculty) and Group 'B' staff in respect of nurses.
The Committee exhorted the Institute to streamline its recruitment policy so as to ensure that before approaching the Government for creation posts, AIIMS should at least ensure that the sanctioned posts are filled up within a targetted timeline.

Citing that the process of appointment of Director of AIIMS is done at the last moment in hurry, the Committee suggested that in order to ensure time filling up of the post, the required processes should be put in motion at least one year before the anticipated vacancies arose.
The issue of Assessment Promotion Scheme (APS) has raked its fair share of controversy and that AIIMS should have framed guidelines for APS before going for it evena sit urged for a review of the scheme.