Bhubaneswar, June 18 -- Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday directed the health and family welfare department to initiate disciplinary proceedings against 128 government doctors who have remained unauthorisedly absent from duty for more than five years.

According to the chief minister's office, medical officers and dental surgeons posted in government hospitals across the state were found absent from service without authorisation for prolonged periods, adversely affecting healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and remote areas.

Majhi also ordered the dismissal of Dr Bichakshana Panigrahi, former Medical Officer at Kandhamal Police Hospital, from government service. Officials said similar cases of long-term absenteei...