Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Office of Profit controversy may now create trouble for Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
Former bureaucrat Omesh Saigal plans to file a petition before the Election Commission, alleging that Ramadoss, as the president of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), holds an office of profit.
"We have a strong case against Ramadoss. Apart from the legal angle which is totally in our favour, we have resolutions from the consultant committee of Parliament to raise the issue of Health Minister holding a profitable position," said Saigal.
Ramadoss’s defence before the Election Commission will be that he holds the post in his ex-officio capacity under the AIIMS Act. AIIMS is a university and as its chief, he's outside the purview of the Office of Profit rule.
Ramadoss says that as president of AIIMS he does not get any salary or perk. However, Saigal challenges Ramadoss’s claims and has prepared a point-by-point rebuttal against the Health Minister.
According to Saigal plea, only three officials—AIIMS’ director, the Director General Health Services and the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University—are allowed in their ex officio capacity to hold a profit position. This list does not entail the Health Minister in its purview.
Secondly, according to the Supreme Court and the University Grants Commission, AIIMS is not a University. And being the President of AIIMS is certainly a profitable post.
Saigal says that in the past two years, over Rs 40 lakh have been spent by the Institute in providing Ramadoss with staff and facilities.
However the Health Minister is not much bothered by these allegations. "I have given my reply to the election commission. Let them answer," says Ramadoss.
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