Govt retires dental college dean, appoints interim one

Panaji: Dr Ida de Noronha de Ataide retired as Goa Dental College dean on March 31, Goa govt told the Bombay high court on Monday, effectively ending her continuation in office beyond the age of superannuation.The submission was made in response to a petition filed by doctors of Goa Dental College and Hospital, who challenged the continuation of the 65-year-old Noronha in the post despite her attaining the retirement age of 62 in 2023. The petition alleged that her continuation was illegal and in violation of the fundamental rules and the Goa State Civil Service (Retirement) Rules, 2000.Govt told the court that Dr Anita Spadigam, head of department of oral pathology, will take charge as officiating dean until a departmental promotion committee (DPC) is convened and regular dean is appointed.The petitioners argued that a May 27, 2020, order redesignating the post as “dean-cum-professor emeritus” was invalid, as it was never approved by the personnel department and no amendments were made to the recruitment rules. They also alleged that Noronha initiated a proposal to amend the rules only after the petition was filed, amounting to acting in her own cause to legitimise her tenure.The plea also said that Noronha had been officiating as dean since 2017, over seven years, raising concerns over govt’s failure to enforce eligibility norms.

Allowing officers to continue in administrative posts beyond the prescribed retirement age would have a cascading effect, blocking promotional and officiating opportunities for younger faculty, the petitioners said. Such actions, they argued, were discriminatory and detrimental to the morale and career prospects of junior officers.As per service rules, teaching medical officers holding administrative posts must retire at 62. While they may seek reappointment as teachers up to 65, they are barred from holding administrative roles. The petitioners maintained that the post of dean is a purely administrative one, involving extensive managerial responsibilities, and cannot be held beyond the age of superannuation.