Ravikumar assumes charge as SVIMS Director cum VC

Tirupati: The four-month long suspense on the post of SVIMS Director came to an end with the rejoining of Tanjavur S Ravikumar as Director cum Vice-Chancellor of the deemed medical university, here on Saturday.

Ravikumar, former Director and CEO of JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education) Puduchery, was appointed as SVIMS Director cum Vice-Chancellor, for three months period on September 2 last year. He got extension from the government to continue as SVIMS Director for three more months.

But, he went on long leave for three months on November 27 last year after he got the extension which raised many eye brows. Though the cause for his long leave was officially stated as `personal reason’ it was believed that he was forced to go on long leave unable to cope with the pressure from local politicians belonging to the ruling combine. The politicians vied with each other in bringing pressure on him to get contracts for various services and also for medical shops etc.

It may be noted here that Ravikumar’s appointment was necessitated after Vengamma quit the post of director in August last year, 10 months before the expiry of her three-year term.

Unlike in other sectors, SVIMS witnessed a tussle between the local TDP and BJP leaders to get the contractor for the canteen, medical shops and also providing personnel for health services in SVIMS.

As the Medical and Health Minister belongs to BJP, partner in the ruling alliance, it is but natural that local BJP leaders also sought their pound of flesh in the contracts as the Minister concerned belonged to their party, which added more to the competition much to the inconvenience of the officials at SVIMS.

It is alleged that it was the fierce fight between them and the subsequent heightened pressure that forced Ravikumar, an international cancer specialist, who returned to India after serving in US for over 36 years in various capacities in various reputed medical institutions, to go on leave, vexed with SVIMS `politics’.

After Ravikumar failed to return after his three-month leave period was over, rumours were rife that he may not return to SVIMS, they gained strength after the government issued a GO last month and set up a search committee for selecting the person for the SVIMS Director cum Vice-Chancellor post last month.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, the government issued a GO on April 12 for the cancellation of the search committee and the next day another GO appointing Ravikumar as Director cum Vice-Chancellor of SVIMS (GO RT NO 129 HM and FW (CI) Department dt 13.04.16.).

Reliable sources said that the government, to say precisely the Chief Minister who is from the district, was concerned over the SVIMS affairs, and was keen on bringing Ravikumar back which saw his reappointment to fulfill his desire to develop it as a national level medical institution.

Following the GO issued earlier this month, Ravikumar took charge as SVIMS Director cum Vice-Chancellor on Saturday from in-charge Director Sivakumar. A press release from SVIMS here said that Ravikumar reiterated the plans for making SVIMS as an institute of global repute, and conveyed his thanks to the Govt of AP and TTD for giving him an opportunity to serve SVIMS and the people of the region.