Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 26: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has issued detailed guidelines for granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to in-service Medical Officers intending to pursue higher study courses or tenure posts during the calendar year 2025.
A seven-member committee has been constituted to examine such cases and recommend eligible candidates as per the laid-down criteria.
The guidelines specify that Medical Officers applying for higher studies must have completed at least five years of service by January 1, 2025, and must be undertaking such courses for the first time during their service.
Similarly, those applying for tenure positions, such as residencies, registrarships, or fellowships, must have completed probation or served a minimum of three years, whichever is later, and should also be applying for the first time.
Additionally, doctors returning from previous study leave or tenure posts must serve at least two years before applying again.
The guidelines further mandate that the concerned Head of Department (HoD) must provide specific certificates regarding the applicant’s work and conduct, integrity, punctuality, and the absence of any pending inquiries or court cases.
The Directorates of Health Services in Jammu and Kashmir are required to ensure that healthcare services remain unaffected by the absence of the doctors and make appropriate internal arrangements.
Doctors must adhere strictly to the guidelines and submit their applications in the prescribed proforma through the respective Directorates of Health Services by December 5, 2024.
Any application submitted after the cut-off date will not be entertained, and responsibility for lapses will rest with the concerned HoD.
Applicants are also required to furnish an undertaking, authenticated by a First-Class Judicial Magistrate, affirming their commitment to abide by the guidelines.
The Directorates of Health Services are responsible for certifying the eligibility of applicants as per the laid-down criteria and forwarding a consolidated list to the Administrative Department by December 10, 2024. NOCs will only be issued after review by the departmental committee, and applying for an NOC does not guarantee permission to join the intended course or tenure position.
Unauthorized participation in selection processes or courses without prior permission will result in disciplinary action, including possible termination.
Heads of institutions, including SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, Government Medical Colleges, and other institutions, are instructed to allow only those candidates who have secured an NOC from the Administrative Department to participate in selection processes.
An NOC, however, does not equate to permission for relieving or joining, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis following recommendations from the concerned Directorates. Non-compliance with these guidelines will invite strict disciplinary proceedings.
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