Burdwan, Nov. 24 :    Burdwan, Nov. 24:  The state government has hit upon a novel idea to stop private practice among government doctors who are often accused of neglecting their duty and making a quick buck from private clinics and nursing homes run by them. Government doctors will man 'afternoon pay clinics' to be opened at a number of state-run hospitals from early next year to 'provide specialised treatment'. The government also intends to privatise security and canteen services in hospitals from December 1. From now on, 'collectors', engaged by private agencies, will approach individual patients every day to find out the kind of meal they will prefer to take. This will also help the doctors prescribe different diet for different patients. Dr C.R. Maity, director of medical education, said here today that the proposed clinics would remain operational between 4 pm and 6 pm every day. A patient, intending to avail of the specialists' services at these clinics, will have to make an initial payment of Rs 100 in Calcutta areas and Rs 50 in places outside the city. For subsequent visits to the pay clinics, a patient will be charged Rs 60 and Rs 30 respectively. Forty per cent of the fees thus collected will go to the authorities of the hospitals concerned. Forty per cent of the rest will be given to the doctors and 60 per cent will be distributed among the hospital employees as an incentive. Dr Maity said patients would be free to select doctors from a panel at the pay clinic. 'All the specialists attached to government hospitals will be bound to attend the pay clinics and treat the patients. This will be part of their duty,' he said. The pay clinics will be initially opened at the outdoor sections of government hospitals. Later, 12 to 15 per cent beds of the indoor section will be reserved for the pay-clinic patients. However, patients requiring indoor facilities may also be admitted to the hospital through emergency on the doctors' recommendations. According to Dr Maity, the clinics will make full use of the medical infrastructure at the hospitals concerned. He conceded that the move was aimed at putting an end to private practice among government doctors, but insisted that it would also restore their credibility and make them more accountable to patients. 'We cannot bring about necessary changes in health services simply by enacting a legislation. We intend to bring back the government doctors to the mainstream of medical service by opening pay clinics,' he said. The pay clinic service will be initially launched from all the state medical colleges and hospitals. Later, similar clinics will come up at district and sub-divisional hospitals having the required medical infrastructure.