The Delhi Medical Council (DMC), which is supposed to regulate doctors practicing in Delhi, is roiled in controversy as Delhi govt has raised objections to its registrar getting an extension of one more year till Dec 2025, after earlier enhancing the retirement age from 60 to 65 years in 2019. The health and family welfare department has asked for the post to be vacated immediately.
Dr Girish Tyagi became the registrar of DMC in July 2008, a little over a year after he became the deputy registrar in June 2007. The post of registrar being a permanent administrative one, he was to continue till he attained superannuation when he turned 60 in Nov 2019. However, DMC enhanced the age of retirement of the registrar from 60 to 65 years in Feb 2019. After he turned 65 on Nov 3, DMC, in a meeting held on Nov 11, extended his tenure by one year effective from Dec 1, 2024.
When the DMC sent a letter dated Nov 20 to Delhi govt about the one-year extension, the special secretary, health and family welfare (Council) of Delhi govt objected pointing out that even the enhancement of the registrar’s retirement age from 60 to 65 years done in 2019 was a “complete violation” and that his continuation was not permissible. In a letter to the council dated Nov 27, it directed Dr Tyagi to relinquish the charge of registrar immediately.
The DMC had stated that the enhancement from 60 to 65 was based on an order of Sept 2016 extending the age of superannuation of doctors. However, that order is not applicable to doctors holding administrative posts, pointed out the Delhi government letter.
Dr Tyagi filed a writ petition in Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the Delhi govt’s order. In a hearing on Dec 2, the court issued notices to the respondents but did not grant a stay nor declare as legal the one-year extension granted. However, Dr Tyagi continues to hold the post.
No deputy registrar has been appointed since 2009. According to the DMC Act, “the post of the registrar shall be filled by the council by promotion of deputy registrar”. Thus there is no one to be automatically promoted to become registrar if Dr Tyagi steps down. Delhi govt has asked DMC to forward the panel of names for the appointment of registrar and deputy registrar. The post of deputy registrar was advertised on Friday.
