The Union Health Ministry has issued a directive to AIIMS-Delhi, requesting them to limit the duration of PhD scholars or scientists working on research projects to six years. However, the AIIMS administration has not yet implemented this order. In response to the decision, PhD scholars and scientists engaged in research projects at AIIMS have been staging protests for the past few days. Faculty members of the esteemed medical institute have also expressed their opposition to this move, as reported by PTI. The situation remains contentious as both the administration and the researchers grapple with the implications of capping the duration of such projects.
The directive issued by the Health Ministry on July 12 states that "project staff will not be allowed to continue or hired to serve beyond six years of cumulative engagement in the institute".
"Hiring/shifting of present staff to any fresh or ongoing project may be allowed and to compete with fresh applicants subject to the above-mentioned limit of six years of cumulative engagement and other prevailing conditions," it stated.
After facing protests from scientists, the AIIMS administration decided to suspend its previous order on July 10, which had put the recruitment and selection process of research staff on hold for review.
However, on July 12, the Union Health Ministry issued a fresh directive to the AIIMS administration, instructing them to limit the duration of employment on projects at the premier institute to a maximum of six years. Scientists and PhD scholars at AIIMS, represented by the Society of Young Scientists (SYS), have voiced their concerns, stating that capping the number of projects will result in the immediate termination of approximately 1,400 employees, including researchers and technical staff involved in various projects at AIIMS.
In solidarity with the SYS's cause, the Faculty Association of AIIMS and the AIIMS Nurses Union have also expressed their support. The situation remains complex, as all parties involved continue to seek a resolution that addresses the researchers' concerns while adhering to the ministry's guidelines.
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