SKIMS reiterates Pvt practice ban; issues staff list

Urges public to report such instances

Irfan Tramboo

SRINAGAR, June 10: Reiterating the ban on the private practice of medical and paramedical staff, SKIMS, Soura, has issued a list of its staff, including faculty members and others, urging the general public to report instances of private practice to the competent authority.
In a communication issued in this regard, SKIMS stated that none of its medical or paramedical staff shall indulge in private practice in any manner, and strict action will be taken if such instances are proven.
“In case any member of the medical or paramedical staff of the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar is found to have acted in breach of Sub-Rule 5 (i) of Rule 10 of the Jammu & Kashmir Government Employees Conduct Rules, 1971, it shall amount to misconduct attracting a major penalty. Additionally, he/she shall be liable for criminal prosecution under the relevant provisions of the law,” SKIMS said, quoting the rules.
It further stated that in accordance with legal statutes and prudent professional standards, no member of the medical or paramedical staff of SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, should engage in private practice, “as delineated by the provisions of the law.”
Regarding the publication of names and other details of the medical and paramedical staff, SKIMS said that this has been done under the directions of the General Administration Department (GAD), which has directed the annual publication of these details through an Executive Order.
The SKIMS authorities, through the order, have firmly impressed upon all members of the medical and paramedical staff to refrain from engaging in private practice in any form.
“Any violation of this directive shall result in severe penalties under conduct rules and also lead to criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of the law.”
The general public has also been informed that if any member of the medical or paramedical staff of SKIMS, Soura-whose details have been published-is observed engaging in private practice in any capacity, “such instances should be promptly reported to the Competent Authority/Anti-Corruption Bureau/Complaint Cell of SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar, to facilitate the initiation of appropriate legal actions against the individual(s) in question.”
Earlier, as part of the renewed push to curb the issue of private practice, SKIMS had also formed a 5-member Complaint Cell to address complaints received in this regard and recommend necessary action.
The cell was tasked with recording and registering complaints of private practice by faculty members of SKIMS, medical, paramedical, and staff members of SKIMS, as well as ensuring speedy action on complaints received from the general public from time to time.