PSC gives assent with research ‘rider’

Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Nov 14: Public Service Commission (PSC) has vetted the file pertaining to the amendments being made in the service rules of medicos working in different institutions of the State and sent it back to the Health and Medical Education Department. However, the Commission while approving the proposed changes in duration of service required for promotion has also attached a rider stating that the faculty members desirous of promotion should also have contributed sufficient research papers.
Official sources said, “the move to reduce the years of service was aimed at  providing some relief to the premier institutions of the State, which had been reeling under severe staff shortage. But, several members of the Commission strongly felt the need of efforts to raise the research levels of the medical fraternity while amending these rules”.
The State Government policy planners have been citing the rules of Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI) for slashing the mandatory time period for the promotion of faculty members.  As per the norms of these institutions, it takes 9 to 10 years to become a faculty while as per existing norms in the State, it takes 13 years
These regulations, which formed the basis of appointment and promotions of faculty members, are called as the “Minimum Qualifications for Teachers in Medical Institutions Regulations, 1998 amended upto December 2009”. The regulations dealt with all issues pertaining to the appointment of Medical teachers, with minimum qualification and experience in various departments of Medical Colleges and institutions imparting graduate and Post-Graduate medical education is a necessary requirement.
The rules have also spelled out the number of research papers, which have to be submitted by the faculty members at various stages of their promotion.
Taking cue from these regulations, the PSC has recommended that doctors desirous of promotion from Lecturer to Assistant Professor should have presented at least one research paper. For promotion to Associated Professor, the faculty member should have submitted two research papers.
“The new rules, which are in consonance with MCI/DCI guidelines further provided that the requirement of four research publications for promotion to the post of Professor should be taken on cumulative basis with minimum of two research publications must be published during the tenure of the Associate Professor”, sources said.
Further, the Rules provided that these research publications are published/accepted for publication in the Journals by the National Associations/Societies of the respective specialties as the First Author.
Sources said, “the Health and Medical Education had also mooted that similar proposal in the year 2010 to motivate the medical fraternity to focus on research. But, the proposal suffered still opposition from the then Principals of medical institutions and was therefore shelved”.
The State Government has decided to slash the mandatory time period for promotion of faculty members. The step is also aimed at placating the Medical Council and Dental Council which have several times threatened these institutes of de-recognition in the wake of their failure to fill vacant post for the past  many years.
Official sources stated that the move is aimed at reducing the maximum years of seniority fixed for various levels in both the medical and dental colleges in the State. “The new set of guidelines are aimed at cutting by three years the mandatory service duration each at the level of Assistant and Associate Professor”.
As per the fresh guidelines, sources stated that the newly recruited lecturer would be eligible to become a Professor in just nine years of service. “After the issuance of SRO in this regard, a lecturer will become Assistant Professor in 3 years, an Assistant Professor will become Associate Professor in 3 years and an Associate Professor can be promoted as Professor in 3 years”. With the result, the Health Department will have faculty members on fast track basis and the upper posts will also be filled within the shortest possible time-frame.
As per the existing system in the state, it takes 13 years (5+5+3) to become a professor. The proposal of the Health Department is to bring down this period from 13 to 9 years (3+3+3).
Sources stated that the shortage of professionals in medical institutions had started taking its toll on the functioning of the institutions and therefore, it had become necessary to reduce the seniority slab for promotion.
Sources also stated that the proposal to amend service rules also need clearance from the Administrative Reforms Department for introducing changes of service. “However, in this case that clearance has not yet been obtained so far and might not be required if consent had been obtained from Law Department. Now, that the file has been returned to the Health Department, an SRO in this context is likely to be issued soon by the Law Department”.

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