TNR News Network
Shimla: Cracking down on prolonged absenteeism and alleged private practice by government doctors, the Himachal Pradesh Health Department has suspended four senior specialists attached to premier medical institutions in the state. The action follows multiple notices issued to the doctors, who allegedly failed to provide satisfactory responses.
According to officials, the orders were issued late Thursday evening by Health Secretary M Sudha Devi, underlining the government’s zero-tolerance stance on violations of service rules, particularly in the public health sector.
Doctors allegedly absent for months and years
Among those removed from service is Dr Vikas Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) department at AIMM, Chamiyana, who has reportedly been absent without sanctioned leave since July 31, 2022.
Similarly, Dr Kunal Mahajan, Assistant Professor (Cardiology), has not attended duty since October 1, 2021. Officials stated that he remained absent for more than four years and failed to respond to departmental notices. His services have been deemed terminated from the date he stopped reporting for work, and the order specifies that he cannot stake any claim for reinstatement.
Joining other institutes without can clearance
The Health Department also suspended Dr Tushar Patial, Assistant Professor in the Plastic Surgery department, who has been missing from duty since October 31, 2024, with no satisfactory explanation despite repeated reminders.
In another case, Dr Naveen Kumar, a paediatric specialist at IGMC-Shimla, is alleged to have joined a position as Associate Professor at AIIMS without a no-objection certificate (NOC) or relieving orders from the state. His absence exceeded three years, prompting action under CCS (CCA) Rule 19 for serious misconduct and breach of service norms.
Govt cites disciplinary grounds
Sources said the department acted after notices seeking explanation failed to elicit convincing replies. Allegations of private practice and unauthorised employment with other institutions were treated as major disciplinary violations.
The Health Department reiterated that while the state grapples with a shortage of specialists in government hospitals, unauthorised absence and parallel practice will not be tolerated, adding that further vigilance measures are being strengthened to ensure accountability in the medical cadre.
