Provide status of preparedness to deal with any emergency: Bombay High Court to authorities

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the authorities to inform about the status of their preparedness to deal with any emergency. Which may arise in case of the resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic or any other similar situation.

Reminding the officers including the Nagpur and Amravati Divisional Commissioners of the orders dated June 30, 2021, A division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and Vrushali Joshi observed that the infrastructure and medical equipment available in primary health centres, rural hospitals and district hospitals were found to be deficient in many cases.

“Officials including civil surgeons and officers of all districts of Vidarbha have been directed to record complete information disclosing the number of primary health centres, rural and district hospitals and other relevant information.

These instructions are yet to be followed. We again direct these officers to comply and furnish the requisite information before this Court before the date of 1st March.”

The Judges have further asked the Collector to disburse

During the hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (No. 4/2020), Amicus curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar with the assistance of Sejal Lakhani and additional government pleader Deepak Thakre also pointed out that substantial amount collected from CSR funds of various companies is lying unutilized in the Collector’s account and, Because of this a part of it can be spent to further the cause of the patients in the region.

“Having regard to the fact that the installation of the fire safety system in Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH) is nothing but an extension of the cause given in this petition, We are of the view that at least some part of the funds may be directed to be transferred to the Executive Engineer (Electrical) of PWD so that the department may immediately start the work of installation of fire safety equipment there. The judges asked the collector to transfer Rs 1 crore to the PWD before March 1.

The Judges have further asked the Collector to disburse some amount from the CSR Fund to various patients/complainants as per the directions of the Committee headed by Justice MN Gilani (Retd) from time to time, And it will not be more than about 5 lakh rupees at all without the permission of the court.

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