Ramadoss rejects calls for his resignation

Putting up a brave front, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said the Supreme Court order quashing the removal of AIIMS Director P Venugopal was not a setback and rejected calls for his resignation on the issue."This was a decision of the Government passed by the Parliament," Ramadoss told reporters here. He said that the Government would decide on the future course of action after going through the judgement. "We are yet to receive the details of judgement of the court. Once we receive the details of the judgement, we will take a decision accordingly," he said.Rejecting the contention that he had "mislead" the government, he said "it was a Bill passed by the Parliament and a Government decision". "Where is the case of misleading the Government when we have passed it in Parliament," he said adding "there is no question of any setback. Let us go through the judgement. We have not decided anything".Venugopal was set to be reinstated as Director of the prestigious institute after the apex court struck down a law to ease him out following a bitter row with Ramadoss. The eminent cardiologist challenged an amendment to the AIIMS Act that fixed the upper age for the retirement of the Director at 65 years, a step that forced him to relinquish office.
Press Trust of India / New Delhi May 08, 2008
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