SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has terminated the engagement of a Medical Officer at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, citing prolonged unauthorised absence from duty and failure to respond satisfactorily despite repeated opportunities to rejoin service.
According to an order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department on Thursday, Dr Hooda Rashid, a Medical Officer appointed on an Academic Arrangement Basis, has been disengaged with retrospective effect from May 1, 2025 — the date from which she remained absent without authorisation.
The order states that the Medical Superintendent of Government Lalla Ded Hospital, Srinagar, had reported the doctor’s unauthorised absence to the GMC administration. A show-cause notice was subsequently issued directing her to resume duties and explain her absence within seven days.
In response, the doctor cited the ill health of her father as the reason for remaining away from duty. However, the government said she neither resumed work nor complied with subsequent directions seeking a clear status on her return to service.
Despite repeated notices and adequate opportunities, the doctor failed to furnish a satisfactory explanation or rejoin duties, the order said, adding that her prolonged absence adversely affected patient care services at Government Lalla Ded Hospital.
The government said the disengagement was carried out under the provisions governing appointments on Academic Arrangement Basis, which allow termination in cases of unauthorised absence or misconduct.
The Health and Medical Education Department also noted that adequate opportunity had already been provided to the doctor, and no further notice was warranted before terminating her engagement.
