Ranchi, April 28: The governing body of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) is in a difficult position with the newly-appointed director Lt Col Alok Kumar Dubey failing to assume office again.

Sources said a section of Rims officials interested in continuing ad-hocism at the institute has been trying to mislead Dubey, who is afraid of the politics at Rims.

Rims sources told The Telegraph there was no official communication from Dubey regarding his joining the institute. Dubey is the director of a private medical college in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Dubey was appointed director after former director Wing Commander N.N. Aggarwal failed to take charge within the stipulated time period. In the absence of a permanent director, Jagannath Prasad had been working as the acting director. The delay in appointing finding a full-time director even after 20 months of Rims coming into existence has raised several questions.

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi had converted Rajendra Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) into Rims by making it an autonomous body. However, the director’s post seems to be jinxed with nobody from outside Jharkhand was interested in the post. “Dubey was supposed to join by April 20 so that he could attend the governing body meeting on that day. But word came in that he has missed his train and that he would join the institute on April 27. But he didn’t show up,” sources said.

“There is a strong lobby in the institute which wants the present chaotic situation to persist. The lobby is working hard to ensure that ad-hocism continues in the hospital,” Rims sources said.

Rims was created on August 15, 2001, after which then RMCH principal K.P. Srivastava was made the acting director for one month. The post was advertised for but the Rims governing body failed to appoint a permanent director and Srivastava continued as acting director for 15 months.

The interview dates kept getting postponed on the grounds that there were no suitable candidates. Following the intervention of Jharkhand High Court, the governing body finally appointed Aggarwal as director in January this year. However, was found that Aggarwal had not resigned from his service in the army. He also failed to report to the institute within the stipulated two months, after which Dubey — who was second in the panel — was appointed director.

Dubey could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. However, sources said that chances of legal and technical complications may be the reason why he was hesitating to joining the institute. “He is well-placed in Jabalpur. Why should he take over as the Rims director’s post, which is as good as a crown of thorns?” sources said.

Certain officials want the present unstable system to continue as it would suits them. “The acting director is only responsible for disbursing salary to employees. He cannot take any policy decision and make purchases. A permanent director will be a problem for them,” said a senior teacher at Rims.

Health minister Dinesh Sarangi, who was at Bahragora, said he was not aware of the latest developments on Rims and therefore could not comment. He said he would come to Ranchi tomorrow and review the situation.