‘Headless’ RIMS, Imphal in doldrums; AIIMS in Manipur becoming a distant dream

The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, which is considered one of the premier medical institutions in the entire Northeast region, is now in doldrums with the institute struggling to run properly in the absence of a Director or a caretaker at the helm of affairs.

After the repatriation of former Director Dr. Ahanthem Santa to his parent institution NEIGRIHMS in October, 2022 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the ministry appointed Dr. L. Ranjit as the in-charge director.

However, the High Court of Manipur on December 19 quashed and set aside the appointment of Dr. L. Ranjit as in-charge director on the grounds that the authorities have entrusted additional charge of director of RIMS, Imphal to L Ranjit arbitrarily and in a “pick and choose manner and in complete violation” of the provisions of Rule 12(1)(iii) of the Rules and Regulations of RIMS, Imphal. As per the High Court order, Dr. L. Ranjit is no longer the director with effect from December 19.

As it is only the Director who has the sanctioning and signing power, many important files are pending resulting in delay in many important decisions.

The non-appointment of an in-charge director or a caretaker by the ministry has also raised questions about the alleged lack of importance given to Manipur or RIMS.

The High Court of Manipur had said that quashing the appointment order will not preclude the official authorities from making fresh interim in-charge arrangement in respect of vacant post of director, RIMS, Imphal strictly in terms of the provisions of Rule 12(1)(iii) of the Rules and Regulations of RIMS.

Meanwhile, it is said that the process for appointment of a regular director had begun with interview of candidates held on December 22 last year by a high level interview board. However, RIMS remaining ‘headless’, regardless of whether its temporary arrangement, will only jeopardise its functioning and its dream of upscaling to AIIMS level.

RIMS was listed among top 50 medical colleges of India in NIRF rankings for four consecutive years. Will it continue to uphold its legacy in 2023 remains unanswered with the present state of affairs.