Srinagar: In a strict disciplinary move, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has prohibited a senior government doctor from private practice after discovering that he had conducted over 1,807 surgeries under the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme—all in private hospitals, with none performed at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, where he is employed.
Violation of Government Service Conduct Rules
The doctor, Dr. Hanief Dar, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at GMC Srinagar, was found to have flouted service conduct rules by prioritizing private practice over his government duties. The order, issued on April 9, 2025, states that the State Health Agency’s evaluation of Dr. Dar’s contributions under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY SEHAT scheme revealed a complete absence of surgeries at the government hospital.
The H&ME Department stated, “This constitutes a serious violation of J&K Service Conduct Rules and Government directives on private practice by medical faculty.”
Official Action Taken
Invoking service regulations, the department barred Dr. Dar from engaging in any form of private medical practice across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with immediate effect. The order also warned that non-compliance would lead to disciplinary action as per existing service rules.
Wider Context of Private Practice Crackdown
Earlier this year, two Srinagar-based doctors were similarly penalized for unauthorized private practice. They were transferred to remote postings and banned from private practice for five years.
The action follows Government Order No. 612-JK(HME) of 2022, which clearly prohibits medical practitioners from engaging in private work during duty hours or while being rostered at government facilities.
Implications
This case has raised serious questions about the misuse of public healthcare responsibilities for personal gain and highlights the ongoing struggle to enforce ethical standards in government-run medical institutions. The government’s decisive action sends a clear message about zero tolerance toward dereliction of duty and conflicts of interest in public healthcare delivery.
