Manvir.Saini
Chandigarh: In a significant development in the controversy over the appointment of the director of Pt Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, the Haryana government on Tuesday entrusted Dr Madan Gopal (MG) Vashishth with the charge of director, relieving Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal of the responsibility with immediate effect.Dr Vashishth, a senior professor and head of the department of surgery, is also holding the responsibility of dean, academic affairs. His appointment is being viewed as an interim administrative arrangement to ensure the smooth functioning of the institute while the legal dispute over Singhal’s reappointment remains pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.The change comes after the high court stayed Singhal’s reappointment and directed the authorities to hand over the director’s charge to a suitable person below 65 years of age. The court’s intervention followed a petition challenging the legality of Singhal’s continuation in the top administrative post after his superannuation.Following the court’s interim order, the Haryana govt and the Raj Bhavan moved swiftly to implement the directions. As per an official notification issued by Lok Bhavan on the recommendation of the state government, governor Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh appointed Dr Vashisht to the additional charge of director with immediate effect.Singhal had retired on July 31, 2026, on attaining the age of 65. However, on Aug 13, the university’s Chancellor/Governor approved his reappointment for another three-year term. The decision was subsequently challenged by Dr Anil Pannikker through a civil writ petition. On Oct 16, the high court, while hearing the petition, stayed the reappointment and sought the state government’s response on the legal provisions governing the appointment. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar also directed that the institute’s administrative responsibilities be entrusted to an eligible person below the prescribed age. The state govt’s affidavit is expected to clarify whether the university statutes permit relaxation of the age limit, who authorised Singhal’s reappointment, and why the regular selection process was not completed. The matter is scheduled to come up for further hearing on Nov 25.