Row over AAP leader Sanjeev Gautam on Punjab Medical Council

Deepkamal Kaur

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Jalandhar, February 29

The appointment of AAP leader Sanjeev Gautam as a member of the Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has invited controversy as other members of the council have said that this was against the bylaws.

As per law, only registered medical practitioners with the council can be appointed as members. They said since Sanjeev holds a diploma in homeopathic medical sciences from Rajasthan board, he cannot become a member of the council.

IMA vice-president Navjot Dahiya shared a copy of the bylaws, Section 5 of which reads, ‘No person can be a member of the council unless he is a registered practitioner.’ He spelt out the procedure, “There are 15 members in the council, of which 10 are elected and five are nominated. The tenure of one of the nominated members had got over, after which the government was to appoint a new member. But the government seems to have committed a faux pas.” Sanjeev had unsuccessfully contested from Anandpur Sahib seat in 2017 as AAP candidate.

Dr Akashdeep, registrar, said he was yet to receive a formal communication from the government in this regard.