Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 3: With Dr. Irfan Robanni having completed his tenure and the selection process for a new Principal for SKIMS Medical College and Hospital, Bemina set to be delayed due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the authorities today assigned the additional charge of Principal SKIMS, MC&H, Bemina to the Director of SKIMS, Soura, Dr Ashraf Ganie.
As per an order issued by the Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department, Dr. Robbani, who held the charge of Principal SKIMS, MC&H for three years, has been directed to report to his parent department at SKIMS, Soura.
“Consequent upon the completion of tenure of Prof. (Dr.) Irfan Robbani as Principal, SKIMS Medical College/Hospital, Bemina, and in view of the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct and in the interest of administration and patient care, the Director, SKIMS Soura shall hold the charge of the post of Principal, SKIMS Medical College/Hospital, Bemina, in addition to his own duties, till a regular arrangement is made,” read the order.
“Prof. (Dr.) Irfan Robbani shall report back to his parent department, viz. Radio Diagnosis & Imaging at SKIMS Soura, with immediate effect,” the order added.
Dr. Robbani, who was serving as a Professor in the Department of Radio-diagnosis & Imaging at SKIMS, Soura at the time of his appointment, was appointed in September 2021 on a two-year tenure basis, following approval from the Chairperson of the Governing Body, SKIMS, Soura.
As his term neared its end in September 2023, the H&ME Department granted him a one-year extension in late August, allowing him to continue on a full-time basis beyond September 2023.
On August 13 this year, the H&ME invited applications from faculty members of SKIMS, Soura, and SKIMS MC&H, Bemina to fill the position of Principal, which is a two-year tenure post.
Officials told Excelsior that the deadline for the submission of applications from candidates has passed and that a number of applications have been received for the position. However, they did not disclose the number of applications received, stating that the sorting process is next.
Interestingly, earlier, when Dr. Parvaiz A. Koul’s term ended as Director, SKIMS, Soura, the selection for his successor also faced delays due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
It was only after the elections were over that Dr. Ashraf Ganie was appointed Director, SKIMS, Soura, out of three names sent for final selection to the Chairman of the Governing Body. Till then, Secretary H&ME Department, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed was holding the additional charge of Director, SKIMS Soura.
The process of selecting the new Principal for SKIMS, MC&H, Bemina is also expected to witness further delays, especially until the Assembly elections are over in October.
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