Autonomous hospitals: Vijender Gupta slams Satyender Jain proposal

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta has questioned the move of Delhi health minister Satyender Jain to become the new chairman of the autonomous hospitals of the Delhi government. 

On Monday, The Asian Age had reported Mr Jain proposed his own name for the chairmanship of all the autonomous hospitals in the capital. 

According to Societies Registration Act, 1860, the chairperson of the autonomous institutions should be the head of the governing body and their administration cannot be controlled by anyone else, not even by a minister.

“It is for the first time that the health minister has attempted to acquire control over these hospitals in such an illegal manner. These hospitals procure medicines worth crores of rupees and make appointments of all categories,” said Mr Jain. 

It was also learnt that Mr Jain has directed the chief secretary to take necessary action to ensure immediate change of chairpersons in these hospitals, he added. He added that at present the decisions of the chairpersons of the autonomous bodies are ratified by the health minister.

“In case he does become the chairperson, Mr Jain himself will be ratifying his own decisions. The situation would not be legally tenable,” Mr Gupta said. 

The issue acquires  dimensions as the  hospitals do tendering for procuring all medicines, consumables, equipment, general administration and caretaking involving crores of rupees,” he said. 

The appointments, transfers, postings and recruitments are ratified by chairperson. Mr Jain will have the final say in all the issues pertaining to the hospital governance, he added.