New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued contempt notices to 51 private hospitals in Delhi for allegedly failing to comply with its directions mandating free treatment for patients from economically weaker sections (EWS), warning that the concessions granted to them — including land allotted at subsidised rates — may be withdrawn.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria directed the hospitals to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for violating the Court’s earlier orders requiring them to provide free treatment to poor patients.
“These hospitals were allotted land on concessional terms with a clear condition that they would provide free treatment to weaker sections. Prima facie, there appears to be non-compliance,” the Court observed while issuing the notices.
The direction came while the bench was examining an affidavit filed by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), which indicated that several hospitals had failed to adhere to the mandatory quotas for free treatment.
Under the Supreme Court’s July 9, 2018 judgment, private hospitals that received land from government agencies at concessional rates are required to reserve 10% of beds in the In-Patient Department (IPD) and provide 25% of services in the Out-Patient Department (OPD) free of cost to patients belonging to economically weaker sections.
During the hearing, the Court also expressed displeasure over the manner in which authorities were dealing with the issue. The bench noted that communications sent by the Delhi government to land-allotting agencies — including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Land and Development Office (L&DO) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) — had not been effectively acted upon.
“The entire proceedings are taken very casually,” the Court remarked, questioning the lack of enforcement of its earlier orders.
To streamline compliance, the Court appointed the Secretary, Health Department, GNCTD, as the nodal officer to coordinate with the DDA, L&DO and MCD and ensure implementation of the Court’s directions regarding free treatment for weaker sections.
The Court directed the agencies concerned to extend full cooperation to the nodal officer and respond promptly to communications regarding enforcement of the obligations imposed on hospitals that received land on concessional terms.
The hospitals have been asked to file their responses explaining the alleged non-compliance, failing which the Court may proceed with contempt action.
The matter3 is scheduled to be taken up next on March 24.
