16 Haryana doctors in administrative posts under scanner over Rs 1.69 crore NPA
Chandigarh: A Haryana Health Department audit has raised questions over the payment of Rs 1.69 crore in non-practising allowance (NPA) to 16 doctors who served in administrative positions between June 2018 and December 2025. The audit noted that records were unavailable to establish whether the doctors had also performed clinical duties.
According to the audit objection, a total of ₹1,68,98,342 was paid to five Civil Surgeons, seven Deputy Civil Surgeons and four medical officers during the period. Under the existing rules, NPA is linked to the restriction on government doctors undertaking private practice, but its payment to doctors holding administrative positions has now been questioned.
The audit observed that records showing the clinical duties performed by the concerned doctors were not submitted for verification. Since NPA could be allowed where doctors carried out clinical responsibilities alongside administrative work, the audit sought clarification on whether the 16 doctors had performed clinical duties between June 2018 and December 2025.
The doctors were asked to submit their responses following a letter issued on July 21.
The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMSA), however, has opposed the move and defended the payment of NPA to the doctors.
The association said NPA is intended to compensate government doctors for the restriction on private medical practice and argued that the nature of a doctor's government assignment should not, by itself, determine eligibility for the allowance.
It maintained that doctors working in areas such as public health administration, disease-control programmes, technical supervision, surveillance, training and implementation of national health programmes remain subject to the same restrictions on private practice.
According to The Tribune, the HCMSA president Dr Anil Yadav said a government doctor does not lose scope of doing private practice merely because the government assigns him or her responsibilities relating to disease control programmes, public health administration, technical supervision, monitoring, training, surveillance, field visits or implementation of National Health Programmes.
The association argued the practice of granting NPA to doctors in medical colleges, AYUSH and veterinary services, as well as in central government institutions and other states, irrespective of their specific duties.
The audit objection and the association's response have therefore brought into focus the interpretation of NPA rules and whether administrative duties affect a government doctor's eligibility for the allowance.
