Agartala, July 4:
Defending the Tripura government’s decision to prohibit private practice by doctors and faculty members of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Saturday accused the Opposition CPI(M) of attempting to create political confusion over an issue that the Left Front government itself had tried—but failed—to implement during its tenure.
Speaking at the National Doctors’ Day celebration at Pragya Bhavan and later interacting with reporters, the Chief Minister said the BJP-led government had taken the decision only after extensive consultations with the medical fraternity and based on recommendations of experts from AIIMS, with the sole objective of strengthening healthcare delivery in government hospitals.
“The previous government also attempted to stop private practice when AGMC was established in 2005, but they failed because they could not win the confidence of the doctors or compensate them properly. We have taken the doctors into confidence, and we are implementing the decision in accordance with the law,” Dr. Saha said.
The Chief Minister alleged that back in the late 1979 the CPI(M) government then tried to stop private practice of doctors across the state and had failed but is now criticising the policy, it had itself advocated a similar move during its tenure.
Rejecting allegations that the government had acted unilaterally, Dr. Saha said discussions had already been held with the doctors, including by the Chief Secretary, and that the government would continue consultations before issuing the final notification.
“The doctors have broadly welcomed the proposal. Their main request is that the proposed additional 20 per cent non-practising allowance for MBBS doctors should be merged with the basic pay. We have not yet issued the notification. Further discussions will be held before implementation because we do not want anyone to remain dissatisfied. Happy doctors will provide better care to patients,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government has proposed a 20 per cent additional payment as non-practising allowance to compensate affected doctors, unlike the previous Left Front government, which, he alleged, attempted to enforce the policy without any financial compensation.
Responding to criticism from the Opposition, Dr. Saha maintained that the decision was limited to doctors and faculty members of AGMC and GBP Hospital and not applicable to all government doctors in the state.
“Even today, many doctors in AGMC and GBP Hospital are not engaged in private practice, while some specialists have not even joined government service. It is not as though everyone’s private practice has been stopped. Many doctors also felt that some government doctors were enjoying dual income from both government service and private practice. Under the new system, many of them will actually benefit,” he said.
Dr. Saha, who also holds the Health portfolio, said the government had been receiving complaints from patients regarding the quality of outpatient and super-speciality services as well as the availability of doctors in government hospitals. Addressing these concerns, he said, necessitated the Cabinet decision.
“The objective is to make government hospitals more patient-friendly and improve the quality of healthcare services. At the same time, the government is equally sensitive to the legitimate concerns of doctors and remains committed to protecting their professional interests,” he said.
Replying to a question on whether the move marked the beginning of a strengthened super-speciality healthcare system in the state, the Chief Minister said, “We are not against anyone. Doctors are our own people. We want them to contribute meaningfully wherever they serve so that their work is remembered by society,”.
Earlier, Dr. Saha inaugurated the state-level National Doctors’ Day 2026 celebration organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department at Pragya Bhavan. Several senior doctors were honoured, including recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards, while others were felicitated for excellence in academics, administration, clinical services and programme implementation.
