Noting that the Dental Council of India (DCI) membership of Dibyendu Mazumder came to an end on the day he attained 65 years of age, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has written to the DCI to take necessary action to ensure that he had no access to official files nor discharge any of the functions of DCI. Action taken may be intimated to the Ministry immediately, the letter said.
Shaji K. Joseph, president of the Kerala Dental Council and a member of the DCI, had written to the MoHFW on July 15 this year, seeking Dr. Mazumder’s removal as DCI president and member. This was after he completed 65 years of age on July 10, and as per regulations, the maximum age limit for a dental faculty member is 65 years.
In the complaint, Dr. Joseph said Dr. Mazumder was flouting rules and regulations, and continuing as the DCI’s president. “Based on my complaint, the Ministry asked the DCI for clarifications,” he said. He also wanted a Commission of Inquiry to look into irregularities in the DCI.
Referring to a complaint against Dr. Mazumder, the Union Ministry, in a letter dated September 11 to the DCI secretary, noted that as per the Dentists Act, 1948 one member from the dental faculty of each university is elected as a member of the DCI. Under provisions of the MDS Courses Regulations, 2017, the maximum age limit up to which a person can be appointed or granted extension or re-employment in service for the posts of dental teachers or Dean or Principal is 65 years.
On the day an elected member ceases to be member of such faculty, his/her DCI membership will also come to an end. Noting the DCI had intimated that Dr. Mazumder had attained the age of 65 years, he could not be treated as dental teacher/faculty though the University had designated him an honorary professor/professor emeritus, the Ministry said.
