YCMH’s teaching docs hurt over claims of buying posts

Teaching doctors and professors at the Postgraduate Institute of Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) claim to be hurt over allegations that they paid Rs 30-40 lakh to secure their 'permanent' spots. These doctors were given the permanent status a few days ago after they had been previously appointed in the first place by Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) selection committee.

The general body of PCMC on Wednesday approved the appointment of 74 doctors for permanent positions. The decision was followed by alleged rumours that doctors were said to be given the jobs after being endorsed by Bharatiya Janata Party - which is at the helm of PCMC - politicians. Moreover, the doctors were said to have invested lakhs to secure their posts. The last allegation particularly made rounds after the corporators stalled the August 20 general body meet.

Dr Rajendra Wabale, dean of YCMH Postgraduate Institute, said the doctors, who have been working round the clock, were appointed because they were eligible and had the potential. "I assure that not a single doctor has given any money to anyone for the job. Also, there was no political pressure. These rumours are baseless," he said, adding, "People made these allegations in the general body meet randomly, following which they spread quickly. This not only taints the doctors but the institute too."


Santosh Patil, additional commissioner of PCMC, said the entire process was transparent. The appointed doctors had impeccable merit, he added. "The selection team comprised members from Directorate of Medical Education and Research and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The decision was not taken by an individual and the process is very confidential. The doctors selected are ones who were found best and no money was involved," said Patil.

The money claims were also stalled by PCMC Mayor Usha Dhore. She also requested the doctors not to be hurt due to the allegations. "The doctors should tell people that the process was 100 per cent transparent and no one had given any money. These people have worked a lot during the COVID outbreak; we had already decided to offer them permanent places. Finally, we took the decision in the general body meet," she said.