Doctor accused of drawing government salary while pursuing full-time MD

Bagalkot: Allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the district health department after a government doctor was accused of continuing to draw a monthly salary of Rs 75,000 while pursuing a full-time MD course at a private medical college.

Dr Ankita Yargal, who was appointed as a medical officer at the Namma Clinic in Wambe Colony in 2025, reportedly secured admission to the MD Pathology course at S.N. Medical College, Bagalkot, in March 2026. Classes for the postgraduate course began in April.

Despite pursuing the course, allegations have emerged that she continued to remain on the government payroll. Health department records reportedly show that a salary of Rs 75,000 was credited to her account every month.Under government service rules, a doctor pursuing full-time postgraduate medical education is required to comply with applicable service and attendance regulations. Questions have therefore been raised over how she allegedly continued to receive salary while attending the MD programme.

The issue has also reportedly affected the functioning of the Namma Clinic, where the doctor was expected to be available from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Residents have alleged that the clinic has remained largely closed due to the absence of the medical officer, affecting access to healthcare services. The controversy has attracted attention because Ankita is the daughter of Bagalkot District Health Officer Dr Rajkumar Yargal and daughter-in-law of Bagalkot MLA Umesh Meti.Dr Rajkumar Yargal said the appointment was made during the tenure of former DHO Manjunath Dodderi and claimed that Ankita’s salary had now been withheld.

Taluk Health Officer Saraswati Magi said officials were unaware that the doctor was pursuing an MD course and that an inquiry would be conducted before issuing a notice.