High Patient Footfall, Low Manpower
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, which witnesses an average OPD footfall of over 10,000 patients daily from multiple states, is grappling with an acute shortage of non-faculty staff, a recent RTI reply has revealed.
Key Positions Left Unfilled
Over 100 Group A non-faculty posts remain vacant, including principals, nursing lecturers, medical technology lecturers, administrative officers, medical physicists, dieticians, and security officers. These roles are critical for maintaining discipline, overseeing Group B employees, and ensuring academic standards.
RTI Findings Expose Delays
The RTI, filed by Ashwani Munjal, chairman of the Joint Action Committee of the Contract Workers’ Union, highlighted that recruitment has stalled due to disputes over rules, tribunal interventions, and the lack of eligible candidates. In several cases, even advertised posts failed to attract applicants.
Concerns Over Standards and Administration
Expressing alarm, Munjal said, “Around 100 top-level Group A posts, including principals and lecturers, are vacant. These officers supervise thousands of Group B staff and play a key role in teaching nursing students. In their absence, discipline and educational standards are suffering, with officiating arrangements breeding indiscipline and sycophancy.”
Persistent Vacancies Across Cadres
PGIMER had earlier disclosed that 131 of 732 sanctioned faculty posts and 1,874 of 8,265 sanctioned non-faculty posts are lying vacant—amounting to 17.8% and 22.6% vacancies, respectively. The prolonged shortage has sparked concerns over the quality of education and smooth functioning at one of India’s premier medical institutes.
