ISLAMABAD: A number of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) employees have written to the registrar expressing concerns and a lack of confidence in various officials and members of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).

In 2013, employees write a similar letter about Dr Asim Hussain, in which they said they did not have any confidence in him and that he should be restricted from visiting the council. However, a few weeks later the employees wrote a second letter, in which they claimed they wrote the first letter under pressure from some elements.

DPC head Dr Amir Bandesha said some employees have launched a campaign against him because they want promotions in violation of the merit and seniority list. He claimed that he has finalised the seniority list and would not violate the rules.

Council employees ask for current appointment process to be halted, seek DPC’s reconstitution

PMDC President Dr Shabbir Lehri said that although he has directed the employees to meet with him and discuss their problems, the council has the power to change DPC members, and members will not be changed based on the wishes of some employees.

The letter, which is available with Dawn, says that various court orders have stated that the council is an autonomous body and employees are neither public nor civil servants. They claimed that the 2012 employees’ rules are not being followed, and the DPC is not following the promotion rules for key posts.

The letter said that some applicants who did not provide all the necessary documents by the given deadline were being asked to provide the remaining documents, “due to which ineligible candidates were becoming eligible against the rules”. It added that “it is also being said that the seniority list of the employees will be displayed on the website for comments of all concerned which has never been a practice and is highly objectionable as there is no provision of the same under the rules”.

Copies of the letter were sent to all council members and the president’s offices. In it, employees asked that the appointment process be stopped and the current DPC be reconstituted with senior council members who have vast administrative experience.

A PMDC official who requested anonymity said it appeared that new groups had formed in the council and efforts were being made to change the DPC.

“There are six assistant registrar posts, of which three are filled through promotions and the other three through direct appointments. As promotion-based seats are already filled, efforts are being made so that the three direct appointment seats are filled through promotions instead of direct appointments,” he said.

“However, it is a matter of concern that the council has become so weak that the staff are taking a stand against it. On the other hand, there could be some other force behind the employees. In 2013, employees took a stand against Dr Asim Hussain and later it was revealed that there was a force behind them,” he added.

In response to a question, the official said direct appointment seats should be filled through direct appointments, adding that in the past, when PMDC officials got seats they were more interested in inspecting medical colleges than reforming the council.

“I hope that maybe those who come from outside the market will address the issues of the council, as existing members don’t have an interest in issues of the council. There are also audit objections, regarding hiring, on some current officers,” he said.

Dr Bandesha told Dawn that some employees were trying to pressure the DPC by saying they should be considered for promotions in violation of the rules.

“Some don’t have relevant experience but they are also pushing for the promotions. I have decided not to compromise on merit and proposed to upload the seniority list on website. However some employees have objected to that because whenever new management comes in, the powerful employees try to get close to them as they get promotions,” he said.

“Once the seniority list is published promotions issues would be addressed for good. In the future, promotions will be done in merit and the seats that have to be filled through direct appointments will be filled through direct appointments. I have advertised three assistant registrar seats and 11 seats in the IT department,” he added.

Dr Lehri said he was also in favour of uploading the seniority list to the website because “everything should be in black and white”.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017