Telangana doctors unite as JAC to oppose G.O. Ms. No. 229
HYDERABAD: The medical fraternity in Telangana has strongly opposed the state government’s recent executive order, which they allege undermines the autonomy of the Telangana Medical Council (TMC). Five prominent Telangana doctors’ associations have formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) and threatened statewide protests and legal action if the order is not revoked immediately on Monday.
The controversy centres on the Government Order (G.O.) Ms. No. 229, which proposes appointing four additional Ex-Officio (government-nominated) members to the TMC. This would increase their total number and dilute the majority of elected medical professionals on the Council.
In a joint press note, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Indian Medical Association – Telangana State Branch (IMA-TS), Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA), Telangana Senior Residents Doctors Association (T-SRDA), and Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) condemned the move as a direct attack on the statutory autonomy of the Council.
The Telangana doctors associations maintain that the TMC is a statutory, autonomous regulatory body, not a government department. They argue that the G.O. would erode its democratic mandate by reducing the 13 elected doctor-members to a minority, effectively making the Council an extension of the executive.
“It would enable backdoor bureaucratization by allowing non-doctors, including IAS officers with no clinical accountability, to influence core medical regulatory functions. This could jeopardize public health and threaten critical initiatives like anti-quackery drives, disciplinary actions, and ethical enforcement by undermining professional oversight,” read the statement released by JAC.
JAC pointed to a 2023 Telangana High Court observation. The court stressed the need for a decisive majority of elected members specifically, 13, to keep the Council’s autonomy, independence, and statutory purpose intact. They assert that G.O. Ms. No. 229 related Telangana Medical Council is contrary to this judicial guidance and constitutional principles.
Doctors warn of protests, legal action
To sum up, the united medical bodies have put forth four clear demands, immediate withdrawal of G.O. Ms. No. 229, no increase in Ex-Officio members beyond the existing statutory framework, protection of the elected majority and autonomy of the Telangana Medical Council, and mandatory consultation with medical associations before any change to the Council’s composition.
Moreover, the newly formed JAC of Telangana doctors, representing the collective strength of the associations, announced its intent to lead coordinated protests, legal challenges, and advocacy efforts. They issued a stern warning, “If G.O. Ms. No. 229 is not withdrawn immediately, the medical fraternity will be compelled to initiate statewide democratic protests and pursue appropriate legal remedies, including judicial review,” read the statement.
In a stern warning stating that their agitation will continue until the order is revoked, the doctors clarified that this is not a fight against the government, but a fight for patient safety, ethical medical practice, and the constitutional autonomy of professional regulators.
