Putting an end to almost two weeks of administrative vacuum in the  drugs control general of India (DCGI) office, the Madras High Court has granted a three-month extension to Dr Surinder Singh to continue as the DCGI. As per the judgement pronounced today, Dr Singh has to demit office on October 31, 2011.

By vacating the interim stay order that the court issued on July 20, it further ordered the Union government to expedite the process of recruiting a new person for the post of DCGI within three months of receipt of this order. Dr Singh cannot continue beyond three months of the court order.

The first Bench comprising chief justice M Y Iqbal and Justice T S Sivanjaanam delivered the judgment of the court taking note of the submission and assurance given by Additional Solicitor General of India, Mohan Parasaran, who appeared on behalf of the government. The ASGI, on Monday had informed the court that government would speed up the process of recruiting a new DCGI.

The Union health ministry has already given advertisement for the recruitment of new DCGI.

The Government of India had on June 8, 2011 extended the appointment of Dr Surinder Singh as DCGI until 31. 3. 2012. The DCGI’s deputation tenure was to expire on June 21, this year.

The public interest litigation (WP 15607/2011) against the appointment of DCGI and the extension was filed by T K Ramalingasamy, a former regulatory officer of the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department. Advocate P T Asha from Sarvbhouman Associates,  appeared on behalf of the petitioner.