A simmering leadership vacuum has pushed the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) into a severe administrative and financial crisis, threatening the capital’s medical regulatory functioning.
With the statutory post of registrar lying vacant since February 2025, critical functions have come to a standstill, as dues exceeding ₹2.5 crore remain unpaid, paralysing one of the city’s most vital health oversight bodies.At the core of the issue is the unfilled registrar position, vacant since the removal of Dr Girish Tyagi over procedural discrepancies. Despite repeated demands from the Delhi government for a panel of candidates, the Council controversially forwarded only one name — Dr Vijay Dhankar — amid allegations of internal lobbying and political favouritism. The government has not approved the appointment, leaving the Council without an authorised signatory to carry out financial transactions or statutory responsibilities.
The consequences are snowballing rapidly. According to official meeting notes reviewed by this publication, the DMC is on the brink of digital and infrastructural collapse. A pending Goods and Services Tax (GST) challan of ₹30 lakh remains unresolved. The Council owes ₹17 lakh per month in rent to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which has raised a fresh interest demand of ₹72 lakh for overdue rent from 2019 to 2021. Another ₹55 lakh remains unpaid as a GST appeal fee, while ₹15 lakh in salaries for March 2025 is still due.What’s more alarming is the Council’s inability to maintain critical backend operations. With internet lease line bills pending, its digital services — including doctor registrations, grievance redressal, and legal documentation — face imminent suspension. Additional dues include ₹23 lakh to service vendors, ₹7 lakh for system maintenance, and ₹28.8 lakh in development-related costs. An unpaid ₹15 lakh towards a group LIC policy covering leave encashment and gratuity adds to the Council’s obligations.
Internally, staff morale has plummeted, with anxiety growing over salary delays and uncertain job security. The absence of a registrar has essentially blocked all payment authorisations, with the Council unable to even process statutory deductions like TDS, income tax, and provident fund contributions.This administrative inertia raises larger questions about governance mechanisms within autonomous regulatory bodies. In a city grappling with air quality emergencies, public health crises, and the need for robust regulatory oversight in medical practice, the collapse of its medical watchdog carries severe implications.
Delhi’s push toward sustainable, equitable urban governance relies on competent institutions — a goal undermined when basic leadership roles remain unfulfilled due to internal wrangling.The delay in appointing a registrar may appear procedural, but its ripple effects are deeply human — impacting not just employees, but the city’s healthcare transparency and accountability. With essential services under threat, it is imperative for both the Council and the Delhi government to resolve the deadlock urgently, ensuring that administrative efficiency prevails over factional interests.
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