Rajasthan to terminate 697 Govt doctors absent from duty

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Health Department has initiated action against 697 government doctors who are officially listed as serving in the state but have reportedly been absent for years, in some cases for over two decades. 

As per the news reports, the list includes doctors across key specialities, including gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, surgery, and general medicine, highlighting a widening manpower crisis in government hospitals where sanctioned posts appear filled on papers but remain vacant in practice. As a result, many hospitals continue to face severe shortages of specialists, leaving patients to endure long wait times and limited access to essential care. 

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The department has now begun the process of terminating doctors who were earlier served notices for remaining voluntarily absent but did not respond. “The process of cancelling their appointment has started. We are taking details about these doctors from the officers of districts where they are posted,” said Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, director (public health). He said the doctors have not been paid salaries during their absence, but still remain government employees in official records, reports TOI.

A review of records has revealed startling facts. Some doctors have not been seen in a hospital for two decades. In Udaipur, a paediatrician has been absent from duty since July 2004, and a gynaecologist since 2013. At Ajmer's JLN Hospital, a surgical specialist has been missing since 2007. Ajmer district tops the list with 41 missing doctors, while the capital, Jaipur, also has 29 doctors missing for years, reports NDTV.

Speaking to TOI, officials say many stopped reporting from the date of transfer, while awaiting orders, or after being posted following completion of postgraduate studies in govt medical institutions. The department is treating such prolonged absence as defiance of official orders and negligence of duty.

The health department has circulated the list to Chief Medical and Health Officers (CMHOs) across districts, directing them to submit detailed reports on each doctor’s status and the action taken so far. CMHOs have also been instructed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under CCA rules within five days against doctors absent for more than one year. 

They have also been asked to issue notices, complete inquiries, and send proposals for termination where necessary. In cases where doctors are willing to return, district authorities have been directed to examine their cases and submit recommendations accordingly.

In addition, the department has ordered recovery proceedings against doctors who pursued postgraduate studies under government quotas but failed to complete mandatory state service bonds thereafter. 

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