Ban on Private Practice by HOD's

Sir,

This is in connection with the news published in Daily excelsior on 17/5/2026 with the title " Govt directs GMC Jammu HOD to desist immediately from Private Practice "

It is pertinent to mention that vide Govt Order No 43-HME of 2013 dated 17/1/2013 ( copy enclosed) , Govt of J and K put a strict ban on the Private Practice by the Heads of the Department ( HOD) of all the departments in Govt medical colleges, Associated hospitals and Govt Dental Colleges of the Jammu and Kashmir State for the better care of the patients in hospitals in Govt medical colleges of the state. This order was challenged by Dr Ashutosh Gupta, then HOD Radiotherapy department GMC Jammu and others vide SWP No 326/2013 and was dismissed by the Hon'ble High Court vide judgement dated 16/8/2014 ( Copy of the judgement enclosed). Further, circular no 02-HME of 2016 issued by the j and k Health and Medical Education department reiterated and enforced the complete ban on Private Practice by HODs in Govt Medical/ dental Colleges and associated hospitals across the state. The order also stated that the Govt shall be ensuring strict monitoring of the compliance of this Govt order and in this regard , if any doctor concerned, as per the said Govt order, if found indulging in Private Practice , strict disciplinary action shall be taken against the concerned.

Inspite of the said Govt order and the Govt circular, HODs of various departments of Govt Medical/ dental Colleges and associated hospitals in the UT of J and K are doing Private Practice and the brunt has fallen on Dr Vipin Magotra, HOD Radiology department,GMC Jammu.

I would like to request the authorities to take action on all the erring HODs or further modify the Govt order so as to remove any confusion in the future.

Dr Rajive Gupta,

Senior Surgeon and faculty member,

Dept. Of Surgery, GMC Jammu