Odisha Govt. Initiates Proceedings Against 613 Absentee Doctors

02 June, Bhubaneswar

Odisha Government Tuesday initiated departmental proceedings against more than 600 medical officers who have unauthorisedly and willfully remained absent from their duty for a long period.

Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said departmental proceedings were instituted against 613 long absentee doctors under rule 15 of Odisha Civil Services Classifications, Control Appeal) Rules 1962 individually.

A notice in this regard was published in the local newspapers since the draft charges could not be served on these absentee doctors individually due to non-availability of their address.

All the 613 medical offices were asked to collect the draft charges personally from the Health and Family Welfare Department on any working days within ten days of the publication of the notice and submit their statement of defence within 20 days.

The notice said departmental proceedings as deemed proper would be initiated against medical officer who did not appear personally to receive the draft charges and submit his statement of defence within the stipulated period.
Some doctors were working in different government medical colleges and district headquarters despite their transfer to Kalahandi, Bolangir, Koraput and other remote areas.

In January, the state government had dismissed 52 doctors for prolonged absence from duty.

Even though the health department has decided to pay double salary to doctors working in remote and inaccessible areas of the state, many doctors are not willing to join duty in such areas, affecting the health services

The government, meanwhile, today appointed 370 doctors on ad hoc basis to meet the shortage of doctors, the Minister said.