Srinagar, August 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has disengaged a Medical Officer appointed on an Academic Arrangement basis at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, citing prolonged unauthorised absence from duty for more than a year.

According to Government Order No. 605-JK(HME) of 2026, issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, Dr. Hooda Rashid has been disengaged with retrospective effect from May 1, 2025, the date from which she was reported absent from Government Lalla Ded Hospital, Srinagar.

The order states that the Medical Superintendent of Lalla Ded Hospital informed the Administrator of GMC Srinagar about the doctor's prolonged absence, following which a show-cause notice was issued directing her to resume duties and explain the reasons for her absence.

While Dr. Rashid cited her father's ill health as the reason for remaining away from duty, the department noted that she did not rejoin service despite receiving subsequent communications and being given multiple opportunities to do so.

The Health and Medical Education Department observed that the prolonged absence had adversely affected patient care at the hospital. Invoking the provisions of S.O. 364 of 2020, which governs appointments made on an Academic Arrangement basis, the department concluded that disengagement was justified, as the rules permit termination in cases of unauthorised absence or misconduct.

The government order further states that since the doctor had already been given adequate opportunity to respond and resume duties, no additional notice was required before issuing the disengagement order.