Minister of Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav on Monday (September 21, 2026) directed officials to take action against doctors and department staff who have remained absent from their duties for an extended period.
Taking part in a review meeting at the APIIC building in Mangalagiri, the Minister said employees should obtain certification from government doctors for illness and required leave, and that medical certificates and recommendations issued by private doctors will not be accepted.
The Minister issued the instructions when he was informed that shortage of staff caused inordinate delays in disposal of files. According to a release from the department, since the TDP-led NDA government came to power, 4,410 matters were brought to the Minister’s attention, most of which were related to transfers. Out of these, only 40% of the files were disposed of.
The Minister said that in case the delay is caused due to inaction on part of an individual, an explanation should be obtained from them and, if necessary, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against them. Further, the Minister said a file should not remain pending at any level for more than two days. It was decided during the meeting that a dashboard should be developed to monitor the status of files.
After the Minister was informed that 493 doctors are still unauthorisedly absent from duty, he directed officials to take appropriate action against all of them within a maximum period of three months.
Principal Secretary G. Veerapandian, Joint Secretary Ronanki Gopalakrishna, Drug Control Administration Director General Arun Babu, and others took part in the review meeting.
