Manik Sarkar calls for review and roll-back of government decision to ban private practice by doctors

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 1, 2026

Former chief minister and retired CPI (M) politburo member Manik Sarkar has called for a review of the latest decision of the state government banning private practice by super-specialist doctors of AGMC and GBP hospital. Speaking to media persons Manik Sarkar said that any decision of the government-howsoever valid legally-must be in consonance with the reality of the situation . “ It is true that in hospitals like the AIIMS the doctors and super-specialists are barred from private practice but can the state government adequately compensate the super-specialist doctors of AGMC and GBP financially to enforce that ban like in AIIMS; besides , this decision has put the ordinary patients who prefer to consult senior and experienced doctors in a tight position of trouble” said Manik.

He also asserted that ban on private practice has created an abnormal situation in hospital OPDs where patients are fainting after standing inordinately long in abnormally long queues . The doctors on duty in the hospitals are also already under heavy pressure which they would not be able to sustain for long . “ Before arriving at a tough decision like this the government should have considered all the pros and cons; it therefore high time already that the government decision was rolled back ; actually what the state government should do is to ensure that all the doctors, seniors or juniors, perform their duties properly within the scheduled duty hours” said Manik Sarkar.

The former chief minister also spoke on the insulting treatment meted out to a lady Inspector of Schools (IS) , describing the recent resignation of Supriya Das as IS after insulting treatment meted out to her by a high official as ‘most unfortunate’. He said that the government has a right to direct senior officials to inspect and monitor school functioning but the concerned officials should also be mindful of their behavior . “The heads of educational institutions as well as officers connected with the school education system should not be subjected to ill treatment like this; the higher authority in the government should be cognizant of this reality and issue instructions accordingly” said Manik Sarkar.

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