On January 14, a group of qualified postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors in Jammu and Kashmir submitted an appeal to the Administrative Secretary of the Health & Medical Education Department. They demand fair recruitment practices, the creation of sanctioned faculty positions, and the withdrawal of what they describe as illegal designations of medical officers as Professors and Heads of Departments (HoDs) at Government Ayurvedic Medical College (GAMC), Jammu.
Currently, over 200 to 250 postgraduate Ayurvedic doctors reside in the Union Territory, many of whom underwent rigorous training at prestigious institutions like Banaras Hindu University (BHU), ITRA Jamnagar, NIA Jaipur, and Patanjali Ayurvedic College Haridwar. This diverse group includes several individuals with PhD degrees and recognized teaching experience as per the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
Despite their impressive qualifications, these doctors assert they face systemic barriers that prevent them from participating in Ayurvedic education in J&K. They criticize the lack of created faculty posts and the issuance of unwarranted orders permitting medical officers, who primarily work in dispensaries, to take on high-ranking academic roles.
The doctors raised significant concerns regarding recent orders at GAMC Jammu. They reported that medical officers, many of whom lack the essential teaching qualifications, received titles of Professors and HoDs across multiple departments. These designations purportedly occurred through questionable deputation-based strategies that did not adhere to the necessary due process or align with NCISM’s established PG regulations.
Adding to their grievances, the doctors highlighted that even with ongoing PG courses, the college administration has not established the requisite sanctioned faculty posts as mandated by regulatory standards. This gap undermines meritocracy and hinders opportunities for qualified individuals.
The appeal delineates crucial demands from the aggrieved doctors:
- Immediate withdrawal of the orders granting Professorships and HoD positions to medical officers.
- Creation of sanctioned faculty posts in compliance with NCISM regulations and initiation of a transparent merit-based recruitment process.
- Accountability for individuals responsible for bypassing standard recruitment norms in the designation process.
According to the doctors, disregarding eligible candidates’ qualifications for teaching roles dismantles the crux of educational integrity. They assert that such measures not only add to the growing unemployment problem among the youth but also dilute the quality of Ayurvedic education in the region.
Expressing their aspirations, the doctors are hopeful that the government will take the necessary steps to restore justice and fairness in academics within Jammu & Kashmir’s Ayurvedic medical landscape. They are urging officials to adhere to standards that maintain the credibility of the educational system.
