Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane renewed their rivalry as cracks resurfaced in the Sawant Cabinet once again.
The two top BJP leaders have been at loggerheads. Though Sawant won the CMs race, Vishwajit had the last laugh at the auction of Portfolios.
But after a ceasefire, both the politicians are facing off once again over the GMC Dean’s issue.
Soon after Goa, Public Service Commission (GPSC) issued an order appointing Dr Jai Prakash Tiwari as the Goa Medical College (GMC) Dean; the order was kept in abeyance after Health Minister Vishwajit Rane requested CM Sawant.
Dr Shivanand Bandekar will continue as the Dean of Goa Medical College (GMC); a formal order is yet to come out.
“I had a long discussion with the CM Sawant, and he accepted my request to keep the order in abeyance. Dr Bandekar will continue as the Dean.,” said Rane.
He further said that Bandekar has done a fantastic job during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the Chief Minister will take an appropriate decision.
Tiwari is a Professor in Nephrology at Goa Medical College.
The position had fallen vacant consequent to the retirement of Dr Pradeep Naik, former Dean of the GMC.
The Dean’s position is being held by Medical Superintendent Dr. S. M. Bandekar on an “officiating basis”.
The Dean’s position is a promotional post, and the senior-most professor with at least five-year experience is eligible to be appointed to the post.
The DPC of the commission had considered the candidature of Dr. Tiwari, Dr Wiseman Pinto and Dr. S. M. Bandekar, after which Dr. Tiwari being the senior-most professor, was recommended to be appointed to the position.