In a significant disciplinary action, the Himachal Pradesh Health Department has terminated the services of four senior doctors from prestigious medical institutes in Shimla. The doctors were found to have abandoned their duties for an extended period without waiting for the formal acceptance of their resignations.
The Doctors and Their Alleged Violation
The terminated medical professionals include three doctors from the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) in Chamiana, Shimla, and one from the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC). Dr Tushar Patial (Assistant Professor, Plastic Surgery, AIMSS), Dr Vikas Kumar (Assistant Professor, CTVS, AIMSS), Dr Kunal Mahajan (Assistant Professor, Cardiology, AIMSS), and Dr Naveen Kumar (Assistant Professor, Paediatrics, IGMC) are the individuals named in the order.
Reports indicate that all four doctors had taken up new positions at either the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bilaspur or AIIMS in Bathinda. Their simultaneous and prolonged absence from their posts in Himachal Pradesh reportedly crippled the functioning of their respective hospital departments, prompting the stern action.
Official Order and Legal Basis
The termination directive was issued by State Health Secretary M Sudha Devi. The department invoked Rule 19 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 to justify the move. This rule empowers the government to take action against employees for misconduct, including unauthorised absence.
The official order clearly states that the doctors' continued absence without permission had an adverse impact on hospital operations. In a decisive move, the termination order explicitly mentions that these doctors shall have no right to rejoin or claim reinstatement to these specific posts within the state health service.
Implications and Broader Context
This crackdown highlights the administrative challenges faced by state health departments in retaining specialised talent, often lured by central institutions like AIIMS. The action sends a strong message about the enforcement of service rules and the importance of following proper resignation protocols.
The termination of four assistant professors from key super-speciality departments is likely to create temporary gaps in medical services and teaching at these Shimla-based institutes. The health department will now need to initiate fresh recruitment processes to fill these critical vacancies, ensuring patient care and medical education are not compromised in the long term.
