Srinagar, May 11:  The management of SK Institute of Medical Sciences Soura is contemplating to increase the retirement age of its faculty members from 60 to 65 years, the proposal in this regard would be put forward before the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, in the governing body meeting on Wednesday, sources told Greater Kashmir. 
 The governing body, which is meeting after 3-years, has Chief Minister as its Chairman, Director, Dean, Medical Superintendent and others as its members.
 Besides enhancement in retirement age, the SKIMS administration has proposed that costs of various facilities provided to the patients should be doubled, including Out Patient Department tickets and medical tests.
 The SKIMS has around 6,500 employees comprising faculty and paramedic staff. The retirement age for faculty is 60 while for paramedics it is 58.
 The administration had proposed to increase the retirement age of faculty members to 62 years when the governing body met in 2007. But proposal was rejected as paramedic staff expressed resentment against it.
 Sources said the demand for enhancement in the retirement age of faculty alone is likely to raise another controversy in the institute. “Non-Gazetted Employees Welfare Association—the association of non-faculty employees at SKIMS— will oppose it tooth and nail,” sources added.    
 “If retirement age has to be enhanced then it should not be for faculty members only,” said a member of NGEWA. 
 The SKIMS administration, according to the sources, has listed the names of five to six officials for extension one among them is facing corruption charges and State Vigilance Organization (SVO) is investigating his case.    
 Sources revealed that among the proposals is the conformation of the director, Abdul Hamid Zargar, who stills heads SKIMS on additional charge. In addition, however, the director has proposed his name as the project director of the proposed SKIMS-II, sources said, adding the names of two senior officials have also been proposed for SKIMS-II. 
 “It (SKIMS administration) has also proposed pruning of the powers resting with the medical superintendent,” sources said.
 The proposals have already been sent to the Chief Minister as agenda for the governing body meet.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 IST