Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Apr 09:
The Jammu & Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has issued an order banning the private practice of an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar. Dr. Hanief Dar is accused of performing over 1,800 surgeries in private hospitals without proper documentation at his government institution.
Government Order No. 308-JK (HME) of 2025 revealed that Dr. Dar conducted an astounding 1,807 surgeries exclusively within private facilities, utilizing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and AB PMJAY SEHAT schemes. Shockingly, none of these procedures were recorded at GMC Srinagar, where he holds a full-time faculty position.
An evaluation report by the State Health Agency (SHA) brought the discrepancy to light. This report was subsequently verified by GMC Srinagar’s own work-done records, confirming that Dr. Dar’s focus on private practice significantly overshadowed his duties within the government health system.
The Health Department has classified Dr. Dar’s actions as a serious violation of the J&K Service Conduct Rules, which mandate that medical faculty prioritize public service and strictly prohibit unauthorized private engagements.
As a result of these findings, the government has issued an immediate and comprehensive ban on Dr. Dar’s private practice throughout the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The case has raised serious concerns regarding accountability and oversight within the region’s healthcare sector.
The order, issued by Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department, states that non-compliance will invite disciplinary action as per service rules.