AMARAVATI, May 6: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday dismissed 51 doctors serving under the Director of Medical Education (DME) for remaining absent from duty without authorisation, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced, warning that the state would brook no further negligence in public medical institutions.

The dismissed doctors include eight Associate Professors, 41 Assistant Professors, and two Tutors — several of whom had been absent from their posts for periods ranging from one year to as long as six years. The action was taken under Rule 3 of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules (Violation) — 1964, which empowers the government to treat prolonged unauthorised absence as deemed resignation.

"Show-cause notices were issued and adequate time was given to respond. Despite that, there was no response from these individuals," Satya Kumar Yadav said. "Those who are negligent in discharging their duties or who remain absent without authorisation will face strict action. There is absolutely no question of tolerating irresponsibility."

Absent for years, some since 2020

Among the Associate Professors dismissed, one attached to Andhra Medical College had been absent since February 7, 2020 — a period of over five years. Among the Assistant Professors, one had not reported for duty since August 22, 2022. The dismissed doctors belong to government medical colleges spread across the state, including those at Kadapa, Anantapur, Ongole, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Nellore, and Markapur.

Of the two Tutors dismissed, one had been absent for seven years — among the longest periods of unauthorised absence recorded in the exercise.

Charge memos bring eleven back to duty

The crackdown has already produced results in some cases. Eleven doctors who had been absent for under a year returned to duty after the DME issued charge memoranda. However, 33 others — comprising two Associate Professors and 31 Assistant Professors — have yet to report despite receiving notices, and face dismissal if they fail to join within the stipulated deadline.

In the Professor category, three individuals who had been absent for extended periods are expected to face similar punitive action shortly. Of five Professors served notices, two have since returned to duty.

Impact on patient care cited as primary concern

Officials noted that the prolonged absence of faculty from teaching hospitals had a direct and measurable impact on the quality of medical services available to patients. Many of the absentees had reportedly pursued private engagements while remaining on government rolls — a practice that had gone largely unchecked during the previous administration.

Following directions issued by the Minister, DME officials compiled detailed lists of absentees from across all government medical colleges before initiating formal proceedings under the applicable service rules.

The government has simultaneously indicated that vacancies arising from these dismissals will be filled promptly under its Zero Vacancy Policy, ensuring that the affected institutions are not left short-staffed in the interim.

With 33 more doctors yet to report and action pending against three Professors, further dismissals in the coming weeks appear likely.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP president P.V.N. Madhav called on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum highlighting the problems faced by coastal fishermen and Home Guards in the State.

Tamil Nadu Fishermen Encroaching AP Waters

Raising the issue of illegal intrusions along the coastline, Mr. Madhav told the Chief Minister that fishermen from Tamil Nadu were regularly entering the territorial waters off Nellore, Ongole, and Bapatla, causing considerable distress to local fishing communities.

He said the intruders were arriving in speedboats, plundering marine resources, destroying the nets and boats of local fishermen, and in several instances, physically attacking them. These incidents, he warned, were creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among coastal communities and posed a serious threat to law and order in the region.

Mr. Madhav drew particular attention to a recent incident in the Juvvaladinna area of Nellore district, where local fishermen apprehended illegal boats but the concerned authorities released them without taking stringent action. He said such inaction was fuelling suspicion and demoralising those who sought to protect their livelihoods.

The BJP leader urged the government to respond without delay, take firm action against vessels entering AP waters illegally, and strengthen coastal security infrastructure along vulnerable stretches of the coastline.

Home Guards Seek Transfer Relief

Mr. Madhav also brought to the Chief Minister's attention the plight of approximately 400 Home Guards who have been posted far from their native places following the bifurcation of the State and are facing significant personal and logistical hardships as a result.

He requested the Chief Minister to initiate mutual transfer arrangements between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to enable these personnel to serve closer to their homes, and called for an early resolution to what he described as a long-pending humanitarian concern.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have received the memorandum and assured Mr. Madhav that the matters would be examined.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh BJP State President P.V.N. Madhav on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the increasing incursions by Tamil Nadu fishermen into Andhra Pradesh's coastal waters, demanding stringent action against those responsible. In a statement issued from the BJP State office, he said the problem had reached alarming proportions along the coastlines of Nellore, Ongole, and Bapatla districts.

Speed Boats From Cuddalore, Karaikal Causing Alarm

Madhav alleged that fishermen arriving in speed boats from Cuddalore and Karaikal were illegally entering Andhra Pradesh's coastal waters and intimidating local fisherfolk. He referred to a recent incident in the Juvvaladinna area of Nellore district, where local fishermen had intercepted Tamil Nadu boats found to be operating illegally and engaging in acts of intimidation, leading to a tense standoff in the region.

Overnight Release of Seized Boats Raises Questions

The BJP State president said that despite the matter being brought to the attention of the concerned authorities, the government's response had fallen short of expectations. He was particularly critical of the overnight release of the intercepted boats and their return to Tamil Nadu, stating that such actions only deepened suspicions and left local fishermen feeling unprotected. The absence of any punitive action against those responsible, he said, had fuelled a growing sense of insecurity among the coastal communities.

Strengthen Marine Police, Revive Coastal Security Grid

Madhav outlined a series of measures he said were urgently needed to address the situation. These included the modernisation and strengthening of marine police stations, the induction of local fishermen as Home Guards, and enhanced surveillance in coordination with the Coast Guard. He also called for the revival of the Coastal Security Technical System that had been in place in 2010, and suggested that retired Navy personnel and local fishermen be redeployed under the framework to bolster coastal vigilance.

Coordinate With Tamil Nadu for Lasting Solution

Urging the State government to take firm action against those who enter Andhra Pradesh's waters illegally and resort to intimidation, Madhav also called for coordination with the Tamil Nadu government to address the issue at an inter-State level. He appealed to the Andhra Pradesh government to find a permanent solution to a problem that had persisted for several years and continued to undermine the livelihoods and safety of coastal communities.