Chandigarh, Oct 7 (IANS): Punjab will not allow private practice by government doctors, the state's new Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani said here Monday.

"Private practice by government doctors won't be tolerated at any cost. Anybody indulging in such practice should put an end to it. All civil surgeons and SMOs would be held responsible if any government doctor is found doing private practice," the minister said here. He was addressing a meeting of civil surgeons and senior medical officers (SMOs) here.

Jayani, who took over as health minister recently, said he will start visiting hospitals and healthcare facilities in the next 15 days and asked health officers to ensure cleanliness and proper healthcare for all.

Punjab's chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) for health, Navjot Kaur Sidhu was also present at the meeting. She had crossed swords with Jayani's predecessor, Madan Mohan Mittal, after she raided certain doctors who were openly indulging in private practice.