Tripura Government Stands Firm on Ban on Private Practice at GBP Hospital, Doctors Urged to Reconsider the Proposed Policy

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, July 3, 2026

The Tripura Government has refused to reconsider its decision to ban private practice by doctors serving at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital, reiterating that the policy will remain in force despite strong objections from sections of the medical fraternity. The government's position was made clear during a high-level meeting held at the State Secretariat on Thursday under the chairmanship of Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, IAS. Representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Tripura State Branch, the AGMC Teachers' Forum, Doctors' Teachers' Forum and the All Tripura Government Doctors' Association participated in the meeting, where an extensive discussion was held on the implementation of the non-practising policy and the concerns raised by doctors.

During the meeting, the Health Secretary categorically informed the doctors' representatives that the government would not reverse its decision. He clarified that the prohibition on private practice would apply only to doctors serving at AGMC and GBP Hospital, while government doctors posted in other hospitals across the state would continue to be permitted to engage in private practice under the existing rules. The government maintained that the move is aimed at transforming GBP Hospital into a "Centre of Service Excellence" by ensuring greater availability of specialists, improving patient care and strengthening public healthcare services.

The Health Secretary also assured the representatives that the government would make all possible efforts to fulfil the long-pending demands of doctors by September 30, 2026. Junior doctors also raised several service-related issues during the meeting. However, when questioned about reports that some specialist doctors were considering resigning in protest against the new policy, the Health Secretary did not offer any specific response.

Doctors' representatives pointed out that the AGMC Teachers' Forum had submitted a detailed representation to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on June 21, urging the government to reconsider the proposed policy. However, the State Cabinet approved the decision on June 22 despite the submission of the memorandum.

In its representation, the AGMC Teachers' Forum stated that while it appreciated the government's intention to improve healthcare services, the non-practising policy should not be implemented without first addressing several long-standing service issues affecting doctors. The Forum demanded regular promotions and the introduction of a time-bound career progression scheme to end prolonged career stagnation. It also sought competitive salaries, an enhanced Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), and service benefits comparable to those available in AIIMS and other premier institutions. The doctors further argued that if private practice is to be prohibited in the larger public interest, the policy should be implemented uniformly across all categories of government doctors, including regular and contractual doctors, specialists, super-specialists, dental, ayurvedic and homeopathic doctors, instead of targeting only AGMC and GBP Hospital faculty.

The memorandum also urged the government to take disciplinary action only against individual doctors found violating service rules rather than imposing blanket restrictions on the entire faculty. It warned that the policy could worsen faculty shortages, discourage recruitment and increase patient load at government hospitals without corresponding improvements in infrastructure and manpower. The Forum proposed that the non-practising policy should initially be introduced on a voluntary basis, allowing doctors to opt into the scheme. It further requested effective implementation of the TMES 4th Amendment, 2026, clearance of long-pending promotions, introduction of a time-bound promotion mechanism, rationalisation of salaries and allowances, and permission for doctors who do not opt for the non-practising regime to continue private practice strictly after government duty hours in accordance with prescribed rules.

Despite the concerns raised by various doctors' organisations, the government maintained that its decision would remain unchanged and reiterated that the restriction on private practice would remain confined to AGMC and GBP Hospital. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also holds the Health portfolio, is expected to return to the state on Friday, and further discussions on the implementation of the policy and the fulfilment of doctors' service-related demands are likely to continue in the coming weeks.

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