Lens on 19 docs for pvt practice despite getting govt allowance
Times of India | 7 February 2025
123456 Kolkata: State health department has started cracking down on govt doctors who engage in private practice despite drawing a non-practicing allowance every month. The dept ordered 19 doctors to appear before an inquiry committee at Swasthya Bhawan.
According to rules, govt doctors can engage in private practice with due approval. These doctors also have to forgo the non-practicing allowance given to doctors who refrain from private practice, either in a chamber or a private health facility.
According to the order on Thursday, the health dept received reports that the 19 doctors were engaged in private practice to treat patients under Swasthya Sathi in private clinical establishments. They have been asked to bring the last system-generated pay slip along with the NOC for private practice and other relevant documents. The committee hearing is scheduled on Feb 12 and 20.
While most of the doctors who received the order are medical officers attached to health facilities in districts, one on the list is a medical officer attached to M R Bangur Hospital. The list also includes a block medical officer of health.