CITING the unprecedented rise in COVID cases in the country, the Centre on Wednesday alloweditsemployeeswithrecognised qualifications to undertake medical practice or teleconsultation. Such practice is to be undertaken during spare time and on apurelycharitablebasis,anorder issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said. Referringtoa57-year-oldorder of the Home Ministry, it said the DoPT has been receiving queries/requests from Central Government servants for providing teleconsultation services during the current pandemic.

 

“In view of the unprecedented rise in the numbers of COVID19 cases, and to utilise the inhouse capabilities available in the Government to contain the spreadofCOVID-19 virus andto providerelieftothepublic,ithas been decided that the Central Governmentemployees holding recognised qualifications in any system of medicine requires no permission from the Head of Departments(HoDs)concerned to undertake practice/provide teleconsultation,” it said. This would be subject to the condition that such practice/teleconsultation is undertaken during spare time, onapurelycharitablebasis,without detriment to the official duties to the government servant concerned, said the order issued to all the central Government department, the order said.

 

“However, it is desirable that theGovernmentservantsshould keep their departments concerned informed forrecord purposes only,” it said, adding that thisguidelinewillcomeintoforce with immediate effect.