Govt sets 20-km, 24-hour rules for docs’ pvt practice

Govt sets 20-km, 24-hour rules for docs’ pvt practice

Sumati.Yengkhom@timesofindia.com 06.01.2025

Kolkata : Govt hospital doctors looking at private practice should be within a 20km radius of the govt facility they are posted at and they should also be available at the state facility within a stipulated time—24 hours—if called for an emergency. These are the rules that the govt has set for its doctors, who wish to work at private chambers or at private hospitals as visiting consultants. 

The guidelines reiterated the earlier rule that all govt doctors would have to apply for a no objection certificate either to the director medical education (for teaching doctors) or the director health services (non-teaching doctors) before they start private practice. Under the provision of the West Bengal Medical Education Service Rules, a govt medical college faculty member can opt for private practice after forgoing non-practice allowance (NPA) and non-teaching doctors, such as medical officers, can opt for it under West Bengal Health Service Rules. 

A govt doctor who forgoes private practice receives 30% above their salary, adding up to Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 a month, according to the salary structure. Many govt doctors forgo the NPA for private practice. Doctors pointed out the new distance and the availability clauses set the guidelines apart. “The 20-km radius rule ensures that doctors can reach the govt hospital from the place of private practice within a brief period in case they are called, especially in unforeseen events, like a fire or a disaster causing injury to many,” said a state health official. 

Now, while applying for the NOC for private practice, doctors have to fill a format, including an undertaking that they would reach the govt health facility in the shortest possible time—within 24 hours—if ordered to. Another recent health circular stated medical college faculty members had to be present in hospital beyond duty hours if need be. “The unscientific and nepotist transfer policy must be changed first,” said Sajal Biswas, general secretary, Service Doctors’ Forum. “Before implementing the 20km rule, the govt must set a transparent transfer policy. If called for emergency duty, one must report within 24 hours, which can be done from any part of the state. What is the rationale behind their distance mandate?”