BENGALURU: In-charge director of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science (NIMHANS) N Pradhan said on Monday that everything was under control and media reports attributing his comments to the fall in quality of treatment received at the institute are distorted.
Pradhan said certain section of the media had distorted his views heavily and these reports were far from the truth.
He also said the previous director had misused his powers, changed the rules and denied promotion to one employee.
“A person suitable for promotion was made probationer,” he said. Pradhan added that after he took charge, he has once again promoted that employee and removed only the ones who are retired and working in the administrative section.
President Pranab Mukherjee was to visit NIMHANS on Tuesday, however, with the death of former president APJ Abdul Kalam, the visit was cancelled.
Pradhan said he had submitted a report on the recent developments at NIMHANS to Anshu Prakash, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, who was here to monitor the arrangements for the scheduled visit by Mukherjee. Pradhan said the institute was ready with preparations for the event, which is scheduled to take place without the President.
The State and Central Intelligence wings had made rounds to thoroughly screen the venue.
Meanwhile, Dr Satish Chandra, former director of the institute, told Express, “I will not comment on the issue. I will air my views at an appropriate time.”
Events Brought Bad Name to the Institute: Health Minister
State Health Minister U T Khader came down heavily against the recent turn of events at NIMHANS, saying it had brought a bad name to the institute. Khader said he would ask Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, who is also Vice-chairman of NIMHANS, to apprise the Union Health Ministry of the developments. “A responsible person from a good institute has made irresponsible comments. This may also lower the confidence of the patients and their relatives, who come here for treatment,” Khader said.
Patil said he was unaware of the developments. He said if he receives complaints regarding mismanagement, he will intervene and apprise Union Health Minister J P Nadda.