Poonch: Chief Medical Officer Poonch on Thursday directed all officials to avoid doing private practice during duty hours or face action.
“Whereas It come to the notice of higher authorities and directed the undersign that some Doctors as well as Para Medical Staff officials are doing private medical practices like ultra sound, X ray, General Check up, etc at various Private Clinics as well as in residential quarters during official timing. Whereas guidelines regarding the private practice by doctors were clearly mentioned in Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) of State Health Agency, J&K, Health and Medical Educatioin Department order no. 612-JK (HME) of 2022, Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 as well as other standing Instructions, issued from time to time.” Reads the circular issued by CMO Poonch.
“Whereas these instructions shall also apply to Para-medical staff working in various govt. health institutions. Those indulging in private practices goes against the ethics of public service for which the officers/ Officials have been appointed by the Government. Whereas this results into weakening of public health services and loss of public exchequer under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme and hence tantamounts to offence under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. and Income Tax Act 1961.” It reads further.
“Whereas doctors as well as Para Medical Staff indulge in private practices during official hours is violation of J&K Civil Services Conduct Rules 1971 and and if found violating these norms and guidelines, warrant action under Jammu and Kashmir. Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 will be initiated. Whereas, Doctors as well as Para Medical Staff borne on the establishment of Health and Medical Education Department are advised to refrain from indulging into private practices during official hours as well as while on duty rosters in the Government Health Institutions.” It reads further.
“Whereas the concerned DDOs of the Health Institutions shall ensure to maintain punctuality and dress code of the officers/officials during the duty hours i.e 10 am to 4:30 pm and roasters ie Morning (8am to 2 pm), Wait (2pm to 8pm) and Night (8pm to 8 am) as well as OPD, IPD and emergency services.” It states further.
“Moreover, as the Financial Year 2024-2025 is ending, the DDOs are advised to check and take into consideration the income earned from private practice while calculating the tax. The income earned shall be shown in “income from other sources” in the Form 16 as per Income Tax Act 1961. Hence, it is impressed upon all the DDOs under the administrative control of undersign to keep a Strict vigilance into the conduct of Doctors and Para medical staff under their administrative control regarding these malpractices resulting into loss of Government exchequer and weakening of public services.” It states further.—(JKNS)
