CAT notice to AIIMS, its doctor over appointment row

Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued notice to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and one of its doctors on a plea challenging the appointment of its Head of Gastroenterology Department and said it was completely arbitrary and contrary to law.
The plea filed by Anoop Saraya, Professor of Gastroenterology in AIIMS, challenged the appointment of Umesh Kapil, Professor of Human Nutrition, as Head of the Department of Gastroenterology on November 1, 2016, alleging that he did not possess an MD qualification needed for the position.
"The discipline of Human Nutrition a non-clinical in nature and it is unheard of that the Head of clinical super- specialty department in AIIMS could be a person who has no clinical experience and who does not even possess an MD qualification in the said super specialty," Advocate Hari Chandrashekhar, counsel appearing for the petitioner, said.

Saraya, in his plea, has also sought directions from the CAT to AIIMS that he be appointed to the post instead of Kapil.
The Tribunal has sought the reply of AIIMS and the new appointee by December 7.
Kapil was appointed the head through an order issued by AIIMS on November 1, S K Acharya retired from the post on October 31.
The petition, among various things, submitted that MD in Gastroenterology was the eligibility qualification for appointment as Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology.