WB: Medical fraternity questions assistant professor recruitment amid merit list controversy

Kolkata: Questions have been raised about the fairness of the recruitment process for assistant professor posts across various medical colleges in the state, following the inclusion of several doctors linked to the North Bengal lobby in the merit list, while many who protested the RG Kar incident were left out.

Among the shortlisted candidates are several controversial figures associated with the North Bengal lobby, including a doctor who was earlier suspended. The spouse of one such doctor has also found a place on the merit list prepared by the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board (WBHRB).

Because of this, the medical fraternity has raised concerns, with many doctors questioning the process, expressing concern over alleged inequality in recruitment. While they clarified that not everyone on the list is undeserving, they believe that flaws in the medical education system before the post–RG Kar clean-up have played a role in shaping this controversial outcome.

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As per the selection criteria, candidates were evaluated out of 100 marks, 75 for academics, 10 for experience, and 15 for the interview. However, doctors pointed out that 85 marks (academic and experience) were based on achievements earned before the clean-up drive began. This raised suspicion among the doctors.

TOI reported that many in the health department stated that the controversial doctors cashed in on the marks secured through their North Bengal lobby to feature on the merit list. According to sources, the experts only gave 5 marks while the rest was decided by the HRB administration members who are not doctors.

Along with this, TOI sources also reported that the administration has not physically verified the original documents of the candidates. Therefore, allegations of tampering with documents have surfaced as well.

"It's a serious matter, as anyone can tamper with any document or provide false evidence. NOC for senior residents working was not mandatory for appearing in the interview," said a source.

Commenting on the matter, a senior doctor said, "We are not saying that everyone on the merit list is not deserving. The problems in the medical education system, which were there before the clean-up, may have contributed to this controversial merit list."

Sourav Dutta, chairman of the state-level grievance redressal committee, said, "The interview is mired in controversies. If the HRB and the directorate of medical education worked transparently, such controversies could have been avoided."

Regarding the selection of a suspended doctor, another senior doctor asked, "How can a suspended doctor be allowed to appear in the recruitment process and get selected? A section of HRB members cracks the whip on the medical fraternity, and they won't be able to do so without these controversial doctors of the North Bengal lobby. We request the CM to intervene."

Manas Gumta, a professor of general surgery, said, "We demanded transparent recruitment, but that was not maintained. So, the controversial names crept in."

Sajal Biswas, general secretary of the Service Doctor Forum, said, "Marks of these controversial candidates were increased deliberately to recruit them as assistant professors."

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