JJ dean took US trip without official nod
A Right to Information (RTI) application has revealed that the dean of the JJ Group of Hospitals Dr T.P. Lahane, travelled abroad even before the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) could grant him the permission to do so.
According to the query filed under the RTI, the medical education department gave the JJ Hospital dean permission to attend a conference abroad, almost a month after the conference took place.
Dr Lahane had visited the US for a training seminar in November for eight days. As per the state government’s norms, any doctor intending to attend a conference or seminar, has to first apply for prior permission. In the past, a few doctors have also faced an inquiry for not seeking permission.
“In my first RTI application, the department of medical education and research said that they don’t have any permission documents regarding the dean’s visit,” said Sanjay Gurav, who filed the RTI application.
However, in the second RTI application filed in January at the secretary’s office of the DMER, it was found that the permission letter was dated December 19. Incidentally, the conference had taken place in November. “It is clear that the permission letter was drafted after the RTI query was received by the medical education department secretary’s office. How can they give permission in December, when the conference was scheduled in November?” Mr Gurav asked.
When contacted, Dr Lahane said, “I had taken permission in writing. The minister was busy and hence, the permission came later.”
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