Govt terminates 112 doctors for unauthorized absence for years
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday terminated 112 doctors for “unauthorized” absence from their service.
Out of 112 doctors, 100 are Medical Officers; others include one B-Grade Physician, B-Grade Ophthalmology, B-Grade Specialist Obstetrics and gynecology, B-Grade Specialist Orthopedics two Dental surgeons, and 6 Consultant Surgeon.
Of the lot, 12 doctors were terminated for their unauthorized absence during probation and 100 others for staying away from work for the duration of two to 17 years.
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Principal Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department has issued four notices on Monday in this regard against those doctors who have been absent for a long period from the service without any authorization.
“Whereas, vide communication No. DHSJ/Es-3/Notice/2904 dated 23.12.2020 and No. Est/3/1-133/2673 dated 18.11.2020, the Director, Health Services, Jammu and Director, Health Services, Kashmir respectively had intimated that among others, the following doctors (100) of Health and Family Welfare Department resorted to un-authorized absent from duties”, reads the order.
“Whereas vide communication No. DHSJ/Es-3/Notice/2904 dated 23.12.2020 and No. Est/3/1-133/2673 dated 18.11.2020, the Director, Health Services, Jammu and Director, Health Services, Kashmir, respectively had intimated that, among others, the following doctors (12) resorted to unauthorized absence from duties during their period of probation from the dates mentioned against each”, reads the order for probation doctors.
The order further reads that in some cases, notices were served to these doctors by Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir, and by Administrative Department, wherein an opportunity was given to them to resume their duties immediately; otherwise, disciplinary action shall be initiated against them as warranted under rules.
However, these doctors neither replied to notice nor reported back for duties. On examination, the Health and Medical Education Department found doctors resorted to unauthorized absence from duties.
Following this, the department ordered the termination of doctors under Article 113 & Article 128 of J&K Civil Services Regulation, Vol-I, clause (b) of Rule 21 of the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1956 read with Rule 4 (b) of the Jammu and Kashmir Probationer (Condition of Services, pay and Allowances) and Fixation of Tenure Rules, 2020.
Further, per the order, few doctors have been absent from duties since 2005, while many have not joined responsibilities since 2020.
