Associate Professor at Government Medical College, Mananthavady Allegedly Earned Additional Income from Private Hospital Despite Receiving NPA
A government doctor serving in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Government Medical College, Mananthavady, in Kerala’s Wayanad district, has come under the scrutiny of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for allegedly engaging in private medical practice while receiving a non-practising allowance (NPA) from the state government.
The matter surfaced during a surprise inspection conducted by the Kozhikode unit of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau following intelligence inputs that some doctors employed in government medical colleges were also working in private healthcare institutions.
Vigilance Team Conducts Surprise Inspection
According to reports, the inspection was carried out on June 5 by a vigilance team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police K K Biju. During the operation, officials allegedly found an associate professor from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Government Medical College, Mananthavady practising at a private hospital located in Kottakkal, Malappuram district.
Preliminary findings suggest that the doctor receives a monthly salary of approximately Rs 3 lakh from the government medical college. Vigilance officials further claimed that he was earning an additional monthly income of nearly Rs 7 lakh through his association with the private hospital.
Wider Crackdown on NPA Violations
Officials stated that the inquiry forms part of a broader vigilance drive targeting government doctors who receive non-practising allowance but are suspected of undertaking private medical practice in violation of service rules.
Sources within the vigilance department indicated that nearly 200 government doctors are currently under surveillance as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities said further action would be initiated based on evidence gathered during the probe.
Non-Practising Allowance Meant to Restrict Private Practice
Non-practising allowance is provided to government doctors as compensation for refraining from private medical practice while in public service. Any violation of these conditions could attract departmental as well as legal action, depending on the findings of the investigation.
Similar Restrictions Enforced in Other States
The development comes amid increasing scrutiny of private practice by government doctors across the country. Recently, the Karnataka government reiterated that government doctors are strictly prohibited from treating inpatients in private hospitals, stating that such engagements could adversely affect healthcare services in government institutions.
The Karnataka government clarified that government doctors cannot admit or treat inpatients, or proposed inpatients, in private hospitals under any circumstances, emphasizing that private commitments should not interfere with their official duties in public healthcare facilities.
The vigilance investigation in Kerala is ongoing, and authorities are expected to take further action based on the outcome of the inquiry.
