1,420 TN govt doctors face disciplinary action for failing to rejoin service after PG

Chennai: A total of 1,420 government doctors are facing disciplinary action for allegedly failing to return to government service after completing their postgraduate medical education, with final orders already issued in 680 cases and proceedings underway in another 740 cases.

Releasing the data, the Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department said a total of 1,420 government doctors are currently absent from duty without authorisation after completing their higher studies. The government reiterated that doctors who pursue postgraduate courses under the prescribed government conditions must compulsorily continue to serve in the government service after completing their studies.

The data showed that 1,420 doctors are currently absent from duty without authorisation. Of these, 370 belong to the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), 766 to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH), and 284 to the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS).

Among the 680 cases where final disciplinary orders have been issued, 158 are from DME, 416 from DPH, and 106 from DMS. The remaining 740 cases are still under disciplinary proceedings, including 212 in DME, 350 in DPH, and 178 in DMS.

In a press release, the health department stated that doctors who join as medical officers are permitted to pursue postgraduate medical education in Government and Private Medical Colleges based on their NEET (National Eligibility-Entrance Test) scores.

However, permission is granted on the condition that they continue in government service until retirement after completing their postgraduate studies. In certain cases, except for scarce specialities, doctors may be permitted to leave government service after paying the prescribed bond amount.

Despite these conditions, the department said that some doctors, after completing their postgraduate studies, leave government service without prior notice and join private hospitals. Such doctors are continuously monitored and instructed to rejoin duty.

If they fail to comply, disciplinary proceedings are initiated against them under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. Depending on the circumstances, penalties such as removal from service or dismissal from service are imposed. The government also initiates recovery of the bond amount, along with applicable interest, from the doctors or their sureties for violating the service agreement.

The details of doctors who are absent from duty without prior notice and the action taken against them are as follows:

"Therefore, in order to ensure the continuity of government medical services and safeguard public welfare, the Government emphasizes that doctors who pursue postgraduate education under the prescribed government conditions must compulsorily continue to serve in Government service after completing their studies. To ensure compliance, the Government, under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. C. Joseph Vijay, continues to undertake the necessary monitoring measures and legal action," the press release mentioned. 

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