Anantnag West MLA Majeed Larmi to move bill seeking ban on private practice by government doctors

October 28, 2025 by News Desk

National Conference MLA from Anantnag West, Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi), is set to introduce The Government Doctors (Regulation of Private Practice) Bill, 2025 in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature on Tuesday.

The proposed law aims to bar government doctors from engaging in private practice across the region.

The move is intended to strengthen the public healthcare system and ensure that government medical professionals remain available full-time in public hospitals and health centres.

Under the draft bill, no government doctor will be allowed to participate, directly or indirectly, in private practice.

Any violation could lead to disciplinary action such as suspension, termination, withholding of increments, or monetary penalties.

Private clinics and hospitals that employ government doctors in contravention of the proposed law could face fines ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh.

The legislation also proposes the introduction of a Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) or similar financial incentives to compensate doctors for the restriction on private work.

Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Larmi said the initiative seeks to curb the diversion of patients to private establishments and improve the efficiency of government health institutions.

If passed, the law will apply across the entire Jammu Kashmir.