Govt threatens docs with strict action for ‘absence’ from duty

Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 18

The state government has threatened four senior leaders of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) of termination of services after they availed public holidays and remained absent from hospitals.

The Health department has asked DAK office-bearers to explain their position within two days after their absence allegedly affected healthcare.

The notice of Director General of Health Services Kashmir Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman stated if they failed to do so, action would be taken against them which might include termination of service or cancellation of their state medical council registration. Doctors have been demanding two and a half days’ of salary in a month against extra duties like those during nights and on Sundays or other official holidays.

The government warning has come after doctors remained absent from their duties on gazetted holidays from April 30 to seek monthly monetary benefits of two and a half days of salary as is being paid to employees of other essential services.

The government has accused DAK officials of provoking other doctors to remain absent from duty on gazetted holidays which “is criminal and in violation of essential medical services”. The absence of doctors has also delayed surgeries and delivery of healthcare across hospitals in J&K.

However, doctors in their reply justified the absenteeism on official holidays and termed the notice of government as a “figment of imagination”.

“We have been availing the gazetted holidays from April 30 but government didn’t say anything about it. The government notice has come only after we availed holiday on June 12,” said one of the DAK leaders.

The doctors also met Health Minister Dr Devinder Singh Manyal, who has assured them that all genuine demands were under consideration and would be addressed on priority. The minister also assured the delegation that a road map would be soon devised vis-à-vis gazetted holidays and the OPD timings soon.