Yogi Adityanath led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has imposed a fresh ban on private practice by government doctors taking non-practicing allowance (NPA).
A government order in this regard has been issued by the Principal Secretary, Medical Health Prashant Trivedi on Thursday. Trivedi said that registration of those doctors found involved in private practice would be cancelled and NPA would be realized from them.
For the first time, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also ordered action against nursing homes, private clinics and hospitals allowing these government doctors to thrive their private practice.
The Principal Secretary said that that the state government has also decided to create awareness among people by putting hoardings at public places and government hospitals. “We are seeking support from the general public also to inform the authorities about those government doctors doing private practices,” said Trivedi.
Althougg private practice is banned in Uttar Pradesh since government pays them NPA but despite it majority of the government doctors are involved in it. An order of the Supreme Court, however, allows government to do private practice after their duty hours "if they are not taking NPA." Within a month after coming to power, Yogi Adityanath had warned such doctors but it continued unabated.
After the tragedy at the BRD Medical College in Gorakhpurin August, Dr Kafeel Ahmed Khan became became the first victim of the government’s drive against government doctors taking NPA but still doing private practice to mint money. A case was registered against Dr Khan under Section 15 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. Currently, Dr Khan is lodged at Gorakhpur jail. The Principal Secretary said a copy of the order has been circulated to all the commissioners and district magistrates to ensure strict compliance. “We will also seek help from local intelligence units to identify offenders,” said he.
