By Firstdespatch Desk Jun 25, 2026
Agartala, June 25 (FD) The Tripura Government has officially banned private practice by doctors working at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital (GBPH). The decision was approved during the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on June 22, 2026.
Addressing the media, the Health Secretary stated that the decision was taken after extensive consultations and in the larger public interest. The government believes that restricting private practice will enable doctors to devote more time and attention to teaching, research, patient care, and institutional development at AGMC and GBPH.
Explaining the rationale behind the move, the Health Secretary noted that in most Indian states, doctors serving in government medical colleges and affiliated hospitals are not permitted to engage in private practice. Such restrictions are considered essential for maintaining high standards in medical education and ensuring quality healthcare services. While AGMC was established in 2005 with a proposal to allow private practice, the plan was never fully implemented.
Several states, including Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, have already imposed a complete ban on private practice by government doctors. Other states such as Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan have introduced restrictions for doctors serving in medical colleges and administrative positions.
The decision also follows recommendations made by Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, who visited AGMC and GBPH in 2025. In his report submitted to the State Government, he recommended a complete ban on private practice by doctors working in the two institutions. The report emphasized that such a measure would significantly improve medical education standards and healthcare services while helping AGMC evolve into a Centre of Excellence.
Before finalizing the decision, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha held detailed consultations with the All Tripura Government Doctors Association and the AGMC Teachers Forum on June 21, 2026. Both organizations unanimously supported the proposal. They also suggested measures such as Dearness Allowance (DA) enhancement based on Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), timely promotions, and improved academic and research support for faculty members.
Responding positively to these concerns, the Council of Ministers approved a Non-Practising Allowance equivalent to 20 percent of the Basic Pay. Additionally, Dearness Allowance will now be calculated on both the Basic Pay and NPA, providing financial benefits to affected doctors.
The State Government is also working on amendments to the Tripura Medical Education Service Rules to create adequate faculty positions and ensure timely career advancement opportunities. In recent years, the government has recruited additional faculty members, doctors, and senior residents to meet growing academic and healthcare demands at AGMC and GBPH. Contractual specialists have also been engaged to strengthen super-specialty services.
Officials believe that with faculty members dedicating more time to institutional responsibilities, AGMC and GBPH will be better positioned to launch super-specialty courses in the near future. The Health Secretary expressed confidence that the policy would lead to substantial improvements in medical education, tertiary healthcare services, and overall public health outcomes across Tripura.
The government has emphasized that the decision reflects its commitment to strengthening public healthcare infrastructure while ensuring that patients receive better and more accessible medical services through dedicated government doctors. FD SB