Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is mulling banning private practice of government doctors in the Union Territory to improve the functioning of its hospitals.

A letter sent by the Lt. Governor's office to the Principals' of Government medical colleges in this regard has requested them to give their comments and views in the matter.

With health being a state subject, Private practice by government doctors is banned in most of the states. In return for the ban on private practice, the government provides them with a Non-Practicing Allowance or NPA- The NPA is a special kind of allowance paid to the medical professionals at the posts of Medical and Veterinary Services and is a percentage based allowance. Under the seventh pay commission, the NPA is paid at the rate of 20 per cent of the basic payment.

Jammu and Kashmir is among the few places in the country where private practice of doctors is allowed.

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There have been many complaints of doctors preferring to treat patients in their private clinics rather in government hospitals.

The step is apparently aimed at improving the functioning of government hospitals and medical colleges across the Union Territory and for making doctors more accessible for the patients.

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Meanwhile, the government is aiming at improving the health infrastructure by building new colleges and opening of two AIIMS, one each in Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.