Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi had told reporters that the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Bill will "be the first item of the session."

Reports said Ramadoss, who is at loggerheads with Venugopal, had planned to get the ordinance cleared by the Cabinet but it was not taken up. A similar attempt by him before the monsoon session had also failed.

The Bill seeks to fix the term of the AIIMS director at five years or till 65 years of age whichever is earlier. The ordinance was last presented before the Cabinet on October 1, but it was not taken up.

The Bill was moved before the Parliament on August 17 following a Delhi High Court ruling which held that the appointment to the director's post was a tenure appointment and cannot be curtailed except for justifiable reason and with prior notice to the director.

The court had directed the Centre and the AIIMS governing body to formulate a policy covering the various facets and conditions of service of its employees, including the director, in accordance with law and to uniformly apply such policies in the future.