Jammu Kashmir government bans six doctors for private practise during duty hours

July 28, 2025 by News Desk

Jammu Kashmir Government on Monday barred six doctors from continuing service after they were found violating official norms by engaging in private practice during duty hours and referring patients unethically to private empanelled healthcare providers.

The ban, issued through an official order by the Health and Medical Education Department, follows a detailed inquiry conducted by the State Health Agency under the Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme.

The assessment revealed that Dr Bilal Ahmad Bashir, a Consultant Surgeon at GMC Anantnag, had conducted 312 such cases while on government duty.

Similarly, Dr Ishaq, a Medical Officer at District Hospital Pulwama, was found involved in 170 cases. Dr Younis Kamal, who serves as Associate Professor in Orthopaedics at GMC Anantnag, had 185 recorded violations of the same nature.

In addition to these, three other doctors were found to have made unethical referrals to private Empanelled Health Care Providers.

These include Dr Vikas Gupta, a Medical Officer at CHC Hiranagar, with 19 cases; Dr Manju Kumari, posted at EH Vijaypur, with 18 cases; and Dr Raj Kumar Bhagat from DH Samba, who was found involved in 12 such instances.

The government has stated that the actions of these doctors significantly outweighed their contribution to public service and ran counter to the objectives of the Ayushman Bharat initiative.

The violations, it said, not only harmed patient trust but also undermined the very framework of the scheme, which aims to provide equitable and affordable healthcare across Jammu Kashmir. JKNS