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Patients Faced Trouble, Doctor Stayed Away ? ₹70,000 Salary Case Under Probe
Karnataka: A government clinic, an allegedly absent doctor, a postgraduate course and a monthly government salary of around ₹70,000 an unusual case in Karnataka’s Bagalkot has now triggered official scrutiny! Dr Ankita Yaragal, who was working as a contractual Medical Officer at the Namma Clinic in Bombay Colony, Bagalkot, has been accused of remaining away from the government clinic for several months while simultaneously pursuing a full-time postgraduate medical course at a private medical college.
According to reports and the inquiry proceedings, Dr Ankita allegedly continued to remain on the rolls of the government health facility without attending duty, while receiving a monthly salary or honorarium of around ₹70,000. The controversy has drawn additional attention because Dr Ankita is the niece of Bagalkot Congress MLA Umesh Meti, while her father, Dr Rajkumar Yaragal, is the Bagalkot District Health Officer.
Reports state that she had been working at the Namma Clinic since April last year, but began her postgraduate studies at a private medical college in March this year, without formally resigning from her contractual government medical officer position. During this period, she was allegedly not attending the clinic, raising concerns about patient care and the functioning of the government health facility.
The matter reportedly came to light after patients faced difficulties due to the absence of a Medical Officer, following which Bagalkot Zilla Panchayat CEO Gajanan Bale issued a notice directing her to appear and explain her absence. She was reportedly asked to appear on September 15, but did not do so. She has now been directed to appear before the Zilla Panchayat CEO on September 18 along with the required documents and a written explanation.
Following the controversy, her father and District Health Officer Dr Rajkumar Yaragal reportedly ordered that she be removed from duty. Authorities have also indicated that if an inquiry establishes that she pursued a full-time PG course in violation of service rules while continuing to draw government remuneration, the amount paid during any unauthorised period could be recovered from her, apart from any further disciplinary action under applicable rules.
The case has therefore raised questions about government attendance, contractual medical appointments, simultaneous full-time studies and the use of public funds. However, the allegations are still subject to the ongoing official inquiry, and any final responsibility or recovery of salary will depend on the findings of the competent authorities.
