Concern Over Preference for Lateral Entry Sparks Row
Doctors in Telangana have raised serious concerns regarding the alleged preference for lateral entry over direct recruitment in the appointment of assistant professors under the Directorate of Medical Education (DME). The issue has triggered fresh debate over transparency and adherence to established recruitment norms in medical institutions.
Representation Submitted to DME Chief
A formal representation has been submitted to DME Director Dr. A. Narendra Kumar, urging authorities to strictly follow the recruitment procedure laid down in Government Order (GO) No. 154. The doctors emphasized that deviation from these guidelines could undermine fairness and impact deserving candidates.
Recruitment Sequence Under Scrutiny
Citing the provisions of GO No. 154, the aspirants highlighted that for every five vacancies, the recruitment must follow a fixed sequence:
- Three posts through direct recruitment
- One post for in-service candidates
- One post through transfer from the non-teaching category
They stressed that this sequence is mandatory and not optional, with direct recruitment clearly defined as the primary mode.
High Court Ruling Reinforces Procedure
The doctors also referred to a ruling by the Telangana High Court, which directed that recruitment must be carried out in a sequential (seriatim) manner as prescribed in the government order. Any reversal or deviation from this order, they argued, would be a violation of judicial directives.
Fears of Bias and Lack of Transparency
According to reports by The Times of India and The Hindu, doctors warned that bypassing direct recruitment in favor of lateral entry could disturb the intended balance of the system. They noted that such practices might unfairly disadvantage eligible candidates waiting for open recruitment opportunities.
Warning of Legal Complications
The aspirants have demanded that direct recruitment be completed first, followed by lateral entry and other categories strictly as per the GO. They cautioned that any deviation from established norms and court orders could lead to legal challenges and further delay the already pending appointments in medical colleges.
Broader Concerns Over Recruitment Fairness
The issue gains significance amid earlier concerns about the fairness of recruitment processes in medical colleges. Questions had been raised after certain candidates allegedly linked to specific lobbying groups were included in merit lists, while others—particularly those involved in protests over incidents like RG Kar—were reportedly left out.
The controversy highlights growing unrest within the medical community over recruitment practices and underscores the need for strict compliance with legal and procedural frameworks to ensure fairness and transparency.
