India, Jan. 13 -- LUCKNOW UP deputy chief minister and health minister Brajesh Pathak on Monday directed the dismissal of more than a dozen government doctors over being absent from duty for a prolonged period, noting that "indiscipline would not be tolerated" under any circumstances.

He said department officials attempted to contact the absent doctors several times, but no satisfactory response was received, according to a statement issued by his office here.

Pathak instructed the additional chief secretary of the health department to initiate their dismissal from service with immediate effect. Those facing dismissal include doctors posted at primary, community health centres and government hospitals across districts such as Kanpur Deh...