6 doctors found engaged in private practice during duty hours

Srinagar, Jul 28: The J&K Government today imposed a ban on six doctors found engaged in private practice during official duty hours and/or unethical referrals to private hospitals, For their preferential allegiance’ towards private hospitals, they have been barred from carrying out private practice of any kind in J&K.

The revelation came to fore during evaluation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)/SEHAT Scheme.

The decision comes after evidence revealed that several doctors were engaging in private practice during official duty hours, and also engaged in unethical referrals to private hospitals. The order, 509-JK (HME) of 2025 dated 28 July highlighted “a clear pattern of lopsided performance, favoring private hospitals” by the doctors who have been named. He order also details the number of cases done or referred to private hospitals by the doctors who have been barred.

These include Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bashir, a consultant surgeon at GMC Anantnag, and Dr. Ishaq, a medical officer at District Hospital Pulwama, Dr Younis Kamal, Associate Professor GMC Ananatnag. In addition, three doctors have been charged with unethical referrals to private hospitals – Dr. Vikas Gupta Medical Officer CHC Hira Nagar, and Dr. Manju Kumari Medical Officer EH Vijaypur and Dr Raj Kumar Bhagat Medical Officer DH Samba. Dr Bashir has been charged with 312 offences of cases/referrals during duty hours, Dr Ishaq with 170 and Dr Kamal with 185.

The government has cited violations of the Conduct Rules and other regulations, which explicitly prohibit private practice during official hours. This “constitutes gross negligence, conflict of interest” and results in serious threat to patient care, violates patient rights and is misappropriation of government resources.

In April this year, Government banned a GMC Srinagar doctor from private practice for similar offences.