In its first full house Cabinet meeting, the Hemant Soren Government cracked the whip on Monday, dismissing 125 doctors of rural health centres. These doctors have been found missing from their duties for long, without reporting to senior officials.
After the two-hour meeting, Cabinet Secretary JB Tubid said, “The Cabinet approved dismissal of 125 absentee doctors.” The doctors were appointed in 2009 by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission to serve in rural areas on a regular basis. But they soon disappeared. The Government had issued several notices and also published them, but to no avail.
On their part, the medicos have been complaining about the poor state of health centres, particularly those in far-flung areas that face a law & order problem. Some claim highhandedness from the Government’s side in doling out postings. “They fled just after joining the service. They can easily get jobs at some other place. The Cabinet decision was inevitable. It will send out a clear message to such errant professionals,” said a senior official of the health department.