Governing body of PGI okays plagiarism policy

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 16

PGI doctors indulging in plagiarism will now face the music. The premier institute’s governing body today approved the guidelines on plagiarism.

During a meeting chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda in Delhi, the governing body gave its final nod to the Academic Penalty and Conduct Rules for faculty members as well as students.

Under the guidelines, there are three categories — mild, moderate and severe. In case of mild count, the erring researchers will not be able to do research for one year. In case of moderate, they will not be able to present paper or do thesis for two years. In case of severe count, a financial penalty will be imposed and the erring faculty member may be removed from the job.

The body has also got several instances from the UGC in this regard. Students found at fault may be asked to do the whole research again.

“A policy on plagiarism was approved today. However, we already had a system in place to check plagiarism. A thorough scanning is done in the library for the purpose. There had been minor cases of plagiarism in the institute. Now, we have approved guidelines,” said PGI Director Jagat Ram, who also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, 12 posts of assistant professor for the PGI and two for the AIIMS, Rai Bareli, were approved.

Health centre for elderly approved

• The Delegated Investment Board of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday approved a geriatrics centre for the PGI to provide better health care to senior citizens. 
• As per the proposal, it would be a 250-bedded centre to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 475 crore. 
• Senior citizens, who presently have to rush to various hospitals for treatment, will get special care under one roof after the centre comes up at the PGI.