Srinagar, August 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has disengaged a Medical Officer engaged on an Academic Arrangement basis at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, over prolonged unauthorized absence extending for more than a year.
According to Government Order No. 605-JK(HME) of 2026 issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, Dr. Hooda Rashid has been disengaged with retrospective effect from May 1, 2025, the date from which she was reported absent from duty at Government Lalla Ded Hospital, Srinagar.
The order states that the Medical Superintendent of Lalla Ded Hospital had reported her unauthorized absence to the Administrator, GMC Srinagar, following which a show-cause notice was issued directing her to resume duties and explain her absence. Although the doctor cited her father’s ill health as the reason for remaining away from duty, she did not rejoin service despite subsequent communications and opportunities provided by the department.
The government observed that the prolonged absence adversely affected patient care at the hospital. Invoking the provisions of S.O. 364 of 2020 governing appointments on Academic Arrangement basis, the Health Department concluded that disengagement was warranted, noting that the rules permit termination in cases of unauthorized absence or misconduct.
The order further states that since adequate opportunity had already been provided to the doctor, no further notice was required before issuing the disengagement order. [KNT]
