Avinash Azad
A picture of a female doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) Doda, carrying a child in a “hugger” on her back while on duty, has gone viral on social media—earning widespread praise for her apparent dedication to patient care.
Sharing the image, Doda MLA Mehraj Malik wrote: “Doda GMC — Immense respect for this lady staff. Those with a true passion to serve never look for excuses, while others only seek excuses to exploit the poor.”
MLA Mehraj Malik, who had earlier exposed alleged corruption in GMC Doda and District Hospital Doda—where innocent people are reportedly being exploited by a nexus between doctors and private clinics—has also highlighted what he claims is a fake RBA (Reserved Backward Area) quota scam.
While the image earned admiration online, it has simultaneously reignited a simmering controversy involving the same MLA and allegations surrounding the misuse of the RBA quota in a medical appointment. A female doctor, who is reportedly at the center of the quota controversy, has filed a complaint against the MLA.
Recently, a group of doctors lodged a police complaint against MLA Mehraj Malik, accusing him of misbehaviour at GMC Doda. Following this, the police registered a case. In response, the MLA alleged that the doctor in question had secured her job using a fraudulent RBA certificate—a serious accusation that, if proven, could have significant legal consequences.
Although copies of the alleged ‘fake’ RBA certificate have been widely circulated on social media, the government has so far taken no formal action. The authorities’ silence has drawn sharp criticism from sections of the public and advocates for transparency.
This isn’t the first time the region’s medical institutions have been rocked by such controversies. In an earlier case, the then Principal of GMC Jammu was reportedly involved in tampering with her date of birth to unlawfully extend her tenure.
Despite the Crime Branch registering a case, that matter too appears to have stalled, with no visible action taken to date. The current situation at GMC Doda underscores growing concerns over accountability and transparency in public health sector appointments. As both the public and healthcare professionals await answers, all eyes are now on the administration to act decisively on the fake certificate allegations and uphold the integrity of the system.
