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Former NIPER, Mohali director challenges appointment of successor

Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
Thursday, August 1, 2024, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

In a recent development, Prof. Raghuram Rao Akknepally, former director of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Mohali, has legally challenged the appointment of the current director, Prof. Dulal Panda. The challenge has been filed in the form of a Writ Petition (CWP-21422 of 2022), with a notice of motion issued on July 30, marking a significant moment in this ongoing controversy.

Prof. Rao alleges that Prof. Panda's appointment is in contravention of Section 16 of the NIPER Act, 1998. According to this section, the director of NIPER must be appointed by the Board of Governors with the prior approval of the President of India, who acts as the Visitor of the institution. Prof. Rao cited a previous instance involving Dr. SJS Flora, who was allegedly appointed as Director despite being declared ineligible. Dr. Flora completed his tenure without objection, purportedly due to the collusion of officials within the Department of Pharmaceuticals. This precedent, according to Prof. Rao, illustrates a recurring issue of non-compliance with legal and procedural norms.

Rao also referenced the minutes of the 59th meeting of the Board of Governors, indicating procedural irregularities and concerns regarding governance within the institution.

It is alleged that Prof. Panda was brought in by an Apex Council, whose authority at the time of his appointment was not recognized under the NIPER Act. The amendment empowering the Apex Council came after Prof. Panda's appointment, thereby rendering the process allegedly flawed.

The petition asserts that Prof. Panda does not meet the necessary qualifications for the position, as his background is in biotechnology, whereas the advertisement for the post specified a requirement for an M.Pharm degree.

This legal challenge has sparked considerable interest within the academic and pharmaceutical communities, highlighting issues of governance, procedural integrity, and adherence to statutory norms within one of India's premier pharmaceutical education institutions.

The ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, under which the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) operates, has yet to comment on the allegations. The case is poised to be a significant test of the accountability and transparency mechanisms within public sector educational institutions in India.

 

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