AP cracks down on doctors absent from duty for prolonged periods

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated disciplinary action against doctors who have remained absent from duty without authorization for prolonged periods, with 70 doctors removed from service and action against another 193 doctors at various stages. The action follows directions from Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who instructed senior officials not to show leniency towards prolonged unauthorized absence and to complete disciplinary proceedings within three months, according to the Health Department.

Officials from the Directorate of Secondary Health (DSH) and the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) submitted details of the action taken to the Minister. The DSH has removed 70 doctors who had remained unauthorized absent for more than a year. According to DSH Director Chakradhar Babu, the doctors, serving as Civil Assistant Surgeons, include specialists in gynaecology, ENT, general medicine and other disciplines. Action was taken under Rule 20 of the AP Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1991, after issuing notices seeking explanations and following the prescribed disciplinary procedure.

Another 154 doctors under the DSH are facing disciplinary proceedings for unauthorized absence. Show-cause notices have been issued and further action is at various stages. Officials said doctors who come forward to rejoin duty after receiving notices may be permitted to return subject to disciplinary measures, including possible cuts in increments. So far, 78 doctors have rejoined duty following such action under the DSH.

Under the DME, 39 doctors who have remained absent without sanctioned leave for periods exceeding one year but less than two years have been given a final opportunity to respond. DME Director Dr Vishnuvardhan said show-cause notices had already been issued to these doctors, but they neither responded nor returned to duty. If they fail to respond to the final opportunity, action will be taken in accordance with service rules. The 39 doctors include five professors, four associate professors and 30 assistant professors. The department had earlier removed 51 doctors from service in May.

Minister Satya Kumar has directed officials to complete action against unauthorized absentees within three months without unnecessary delay. He has also instructed departments to fill vacancies created through such action under the “Zero Vacancy Policy”, based on service requirements. The government said the measures were aimed at ensuring that sanctioned medical posts remain available for patient care and that prolonged unauthorized absence does not leave critical positions vacant.