Tirupati: Stalemate over merger of SVIMS into TTD continues

Tirupati: The stalemate in the proposed merger of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) into Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been continuing since more than one year. The institute was established by an Act of AP State Legislature and has been functioning since February 26, 1993.

TTD has been providing financial resources to the institute to the tune of around Rs 36 crores per annum as against the meagre sum of Rs 60 lakhs by the state government. Yet, the TTD has no administrative control over SVIMS as all the powers are vested with the state government. The Chief Minister acts as the Chancellor and Chairman of the governing body.

Despite being the only super specialty hospital under government control in the residuary state of AP, the Institute has been sandwiched between the TTD and the government all these days to implement various initiatives. Whenever development initiatives and patient amenities come to the fore all fingers point towards the TTD even though they have limited control over it.

There was a feeling among various quarters that the government has never taken it seriously to develop the institute. Needless to say, that NIMS in Hyderabad has an annual grant of more than Rs 150 crore from its government. There was not even a salary budget for SVIMS during the last 25 years.

After the new TTD trust board was formed in 2019 with Y V Subba Reddy as its Chairman, the idea of merging SVIMS into it was conceived. The TTD reportedly wants all control over the SVIMS to develop it on all fronts. SVIMS Director-cum-Vice Chancellor Dr B Vengamma said both TTD and the government have agreed in principle for the merger and the final decision is awaited.

However, it was learnt that the modalities of merging process have to be finalised. It may be recalled that there was also a proposal to establish another health university in Tirupati to cater the needs of Rayalaseema region. Now, SVIMS is a deemed university having autonomous status. Questions like will it continue to be a separate entity or will become part of the proposed new university have also become pertinent at this stage.

It was also learnt that recently a meeting was held by SVIMS authorities to know the feelings of doctors over the proposed merger plan. As they now governed by the Central government service rules, there were apprehensions among them over transfers and other issues for which they are looking for some assurances before they come under the ambit of TTD by all means.