AIIMS faculty demand reinstatement of Sanjiv Chaturvedi as chief vigilance officer

NEW DELHI: Nearly 250 faculty members, researchers and scientists of AIIMS have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding reinstatement of Sanjiv Chaturvedi as the institute's chief vigilance officer (CVO).

In a letter, the signatories have tried to apprise the PM that the Health Ministry's statements that he was rejected by the CVC on procedural grounds and that complaints have been lodged against him, justifying the removal of Chaturvedi as the CVO, are contrary to facts.

"It is common knowledge that in the last two years Chaturvedi unearthed a string of corruption cases at AIIMS that led to enquiries (including CBI enquries) against corrupt officials. This would not have been possible without the CVC being aware of Chaturvedi's position as CVO, AIIMS, and conducting routine transactions with him as CVO.

"In fact, Chaturvedi's name was displayed on the CVC website as CVO of AIIMS. Further, perusal of service rules suggests that prior approval of the CVC is required only in case of appointment of CVO of specific (commercial) organisations," the letter said.

The doctors further said that the decision to give the charge of CVO to Deputy Secretary rank officer was made vide the Standing Finance Committee (SFC), Governing Body (GB) and Institute Body (IB) of AIIMS under the AIIMS Act, and the vigilance manual cannot supersede a Parliamentary Act.

Citing media reports, they said that removal of CVO without the approval of the CVC is a violation of the CVC Act.