Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 07
The Jammu and Kashmir government has terminated the services of a consultant surgeon who remained absent from duty for more than two years without authorisation, according to a government order.
Dr Saima Nanda, posted at District Hospital Budgam, had been granted 30 days of earned leave from Jan 30, 2024, and was directed to return to work on March 1 that year.
She did not resume duty after her leave expired despite repeated notices and opportunities from the health department, the order said.
Nanda was appointed as a Consultant Surgeon in 2022. The Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Budgam repeatedly reported her absence, which the department said affected surgical services as only one consultant surgeon was available.
The Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, issued her a show-cause notice in June 2024, warning that disciplinary action would follow if she failed to return.
In her response, Nanda cited personal circumstances, saying her mother-in-law was undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer outside Jammu and Kashmir and that she was the only available attendant. She sought consideration of her absence on humanitarian grounds.
She nevertheless did not return to work.
In a subsequent representation submitted in 2026, she did not indicate that she intended to resume service and instead sought acceptance of her resignation, according to the order.
The government subsequently terminated her probation and discharged her from the J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted) Service with effect from March 1, 2024.
