Money for Ambedkar statue, not for Wadia hospital? Bombay HC pulls up Uddhav govt

Bombay High Court on Thursday came down heavily on Maharashtra government for dragging its feet over financial aid to Wia Hospitals for women and children and said government has money for statues but t for public health. A division bench of Justices S C Dharmhikari and R I Chagla was hearing a public interest litigation seeking release of grants to Bai Jerbai Wia Hospital for Children and wrosjee Wia Maternity Hospital from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and state government. maternity hospital receives grant from state government and children's hospital gets it from BMC.

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What did Court say?

bench said it was unimpressed with this and that amount should be released by Friday. " government wants to build Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue taller than Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue. For all this money is re, but those people whom Ambedkar represented all his life can die?" Justice Dharmhikari asked. "Do people require medical aid or statues to rid mselves of ailments and diseases?" court asked. Public health has never been a priority for government, bench said, ding that "chief minister is busy inaugurating bridges".

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"We thought re are new faces at political helm, n all se matters won't come to court. This does t auger well," court said. court also said that in a city like Mumbai, which is considered as country's commercial capital, people from poorer section of society are refused mission to a charitable hospital.

"This is disgusting. How can people, mainly women and children, be refused mission to a hospital? Children are dying and state machinery is t doing anything in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Presh, Mhya Presh and Gujarat... should we have same situation in Maharashtra?" Justice Dharmhikari said.

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court said due to lack of funds, hospitals are finding it difficult to cater to needs of patients. "se patients cant afford private hospitals as y are mainly from poor section of society. y require urgent medical attention. In such circumstances, state government is obliging body by making statements that funds have been sanctioned," court said. BMC informed bench that it will release Rs 14 crore for Bai Jerbai Wia Hospital for Children. court posted matter for furr hearing on Friday, when government will have to state by when funds sanctioned will be released. 

current crisis 

Wia Hospital was originally started as a part of a charity to cater to Wia Group’s textile workers. It signed an agreement with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and state government in 2010. reafter, it became dependent on government funds to a large extent. In late 2019, BMC reportedly formed a committee to evaluate affairs of hospital and found irregularities.  

Subsequently, hospital stopped receiving funds to sustain its operations. As a result, over 300 patients were discharged by hospital. Moreover, hospital staff commenced protests seeking payment of ir pending salaries. MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s wife Sharmila joined protesters on Monday.  

(with PTI inputs)

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