1. Interpretation of Section 4(e) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act regarding the qualifications of five nominated members. (Para 2 )
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1996 Supreme(SC) 536
1996(3) Supreme 157
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. Ramaswamy and G.B. Pattanaik, JJ.
B. Shankranand -Appellant
versus
Common Cause & Ors. -Respondents
Civil Appeal No. 4662 of 1996
(Arising out of SLP (C) No. 5315 of 1996)
Decided on 11-3-1996
Important Points
IMPORTANT POINT
Under Section 4(e) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956, the Central Government is justified to nominate four persons, other than scientists and the fifth being the non-medical scientist.
Under Section 4(e) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Act, 1956, the Central Government is justified to nominate four persons, other than scientists and the fifth being the non-medical scientist.
Subject
Administrative Law - Interpretation of Statutes
Act Referred
Headnote
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Act, 1956-Section 4(e)-Composition of the Institute-Nomination of four persons, other than scientists and fifth being non-medical scientist representing Indian Science Congress Association-Four members may be integrally connected with management and associated also with working of AIIMS-Appellant nominated by virtue of his office as Minister of Health and Family Welfare-His nomination is valid-He would be entitled to continue in that office as long as he held that office.
Held : Clause (e), if read as a whole, is susceptible of two interpretations. One interpretation which found favour with the two learned Judges of the Division Bench is that all the five persons - one non-medical and four medical scientists - would be nominated to represent the Indian Science Congress Association. The other interpretation is that one among the five persons would be a non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association and other four would be other than scientists. If the working of the Act from 1956 is kept in view, it would appear that they intended to give representation to four persons other than the scientists neither medical nor non-medical. But in actuality the Central Government appears to have intended to have a representation from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other official persons who are intimately connected or associated with the working of the AIIMS. It is needless to mention that AIIMS is one of the premier institutions in the country which maintains high standards required to be maintained for catering the medical facilities to all teaming patients, from all over the country, who seek the expert treatment from doctors having profound and specialised knowledge in the respective faculties, and specialities. In the management of the supreme body, the Government also seem to evince interest in its proper, efficient, effective and orderly management. Obvious, therefore, the Government exercising the power on March 9, 1994 nominated the appellant, who was then holding the port-folio as Minister of Health and Family Welfare, the second member Mr. M.S. Dayal holding the office, at that time as the Secretary, Department of Health, Professor J.S. Bajaj, Member, Planning Commission and Professor P. Chandra, Former Dean, AIIMS. (Para 3)
Further held : On a harmonious and conjoint interpretation, we are of the opinion that the Government, while enacting the Act, appears to have intended to preserve the autonomy of the AIIMS, and also to have a say in its management. Under those circumstances, the Government appears to have nominated the Minister of Health and Family Welfare and the Secretary of Department of Health as Chairman and member respectively so that in the ultimate management of the supreme body constituted under the Act, the Government also will protect the interests of the institution. Otherwise, it would appear that the Government does not seem to have any say or control in the management of the AIIMS. Considered from this pragmatic background and from the point of view of the importance of the institution and public interest, we are of the considered view that the Central Government is justified to nominated four persons, other than scientists and the fifth being the non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association. However four members may be integrally connected with the management and associated also with the working of the AIIMS. If this interpretation is given, we are of the view that it would subserve the greater public interest in the proper, effective, efficient and orderly management of AIIMS and the purpose of establishing the institution to maintain high standards, discipline and order in its management would be best subserved. However, there should be no undue interference by the Government of India in the autonomous management of the AIIMS and it should not be treated as any other Department of the Government, since the object of the Act is to improve excellence and high standards in all faculties of medical specialities and of treatment. (Para 4)
Legal Category Hierarchy
Table of Contents
2. Whether all five nominees under Section 4(e) must be scientists representing the Indian Science Congress Association or if four may be non-scientists. (Para 2 , 3 , 4 )
3. The court applied a harmonious interpretation to balance institutional autonomy with the government's interest in the effective and orderly management of the institute. (Para 3 , 4 )
4. Section 4(e) permits the nomination of one non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association and four other persons to facilitate government oversight. (Para 4 , 6 )
5. Appeal allowed; the government may nominate four non-scientists and one non-medical scientist under Section 4(e), including the Minister as Chairman. (Para 5 , 6 , 7 )
6. How should Section 4(e) of the AIIMS Act be interpreted regarding the nomination of members?
It should be interpreted harmoniously to allow the nomination of one non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association and four other persons, enabling the government to ensure the institution's effective and orderly management while preserving its autonomy. (Para 4 , 6 )
7. Can the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be nominated as Chairman under Section 4(e)?
Yes, the Central Government is empowered to nominate the Minister as Chairman, and such nomination is considered to be by virtue of the office held. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 )
8. What is the tenure of a member nominated by virtue of their official position under the AIIMS Act?
A member nominated by virtue of their office holds that position as long as they hold the office, and their membership ceases upon leaving that office. (Para 5 )
ORDER
We have heard learned counsel on all sides even at the admission stage.
Leave granted.
2. This appeal by special leave arises from the order made on 29.2.1996 in Writ Petition No. 2453/95 by the third learned Judge of the High Court of Delhi whom matter was referred pursuant to the difference of opinion expressed by a Division Bench of the High Court in the orders dated December 6, 1995. The learned Judge agreed with one of the two learned Judges and held that the appellant, nominated under Section 4(e) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Act (25 of 1956) (for short, the Act ), not being a scientist - either medical or non-medical - representing the Indian Science Congress Association, is not a person within the meaning of that section; he thus being not entitled to be nominated, his nomination is bad in law. The question that arises is : whether in the composition of member indicated in Section 4 of the Act comprising different interests (of which category of five persons enumerated in clause (e) thereof), all the five persons should be scientists, either medical or non-medical, representing the Indian Science Congress Association or only one among them should be a non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association and rest four be other than the medical or non-medical scientists category ? Section 4 deals thus :
"Composition of the Institute
The Institute shall consist of the following members, namely :-
(a) The Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi University, ex-officio;
(b) the Director-General of Health Services, Government of India, ex-officio;
(c) The Director of the Institute, ex-officio;
(d) Two representatives of the Central Government, to be nominated by the Government, one from the Ministry of Finance and one from the Ministry of Education;
(e) Five persons of whom one shall be a non-medical scientist, representing the Indian Science Congress Association, to be nominated by the Central Government;
(f) Four representatives of the medical faculties of Indian Universities to be nominated by the Central Government in the manner prescribed by rules; and
(g) Three members of Parliament of whom two shall be elected from among themselves by the members of the House of the People and one from among themselves by the members of the Council of States.
3. Each interest mentioned in Section 4 appears to be distinct and separate interest to represent the AIIMS as an institute body. Clause (e), if read as a whole, is susceptible of two interpretations. One interpretation which found favour with the two learned Judges of the Division Bench is that all the five persons - one non-medical and four medical scientists - would be nominated to represent the Indian Science Congress Association. The other interpretation is that one among the five persons would be a non-medical scientist representing the Indian Science Congress Association and other four would be other than scientists. If the working of the Act from 1956 is kept in view, it would appear that they intended to give representation to four persons other than the scientists neither medical nor non-medical. But in actuality the Central Government appears to have intended to have a representation from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other official persons who are intimately connected or associated with the working of the AIIMS. It is needless to mention that AIIMS is one of the premier institutions in the country which maintains high standards required to be maintained for catering the medical facilities to all teaming patients, from all over the country, who seek the expert treatment from doctors having profound and specialised knowledge in the respective faculties and specialities. In the management of the supreme body, the Government also seem to evince interest in its proper, efficient, effective and orderly managemen
