On day of protests at Wadia Hospitals, BMC says will pay Rs 20 cr

With political parties throwing ir weight behind cash-strapped Wia hospitals in Mumbai, city Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Monday said civic body would pay "pending amount" of around Rs 20 crore to m.

However, Wia Hospital claimed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is supposed to pay "pending dues" of several crores to wrosjee Wia Maternity Hospital and Bai Jerbai Wia Hospital for Children, both based inParel.

Earlier in day, Raj Thackeray-led MNS held a protest outside hospitals demanding that Maharashtra government and BMC provide funds for proper running of cash-strapped facilities which have been discharging patients due to lack of resources.

protest was led by MNS chief Raj Thackeray's wife Sharmila Thackeray. Former MLA Bala Nandgaokar and or party workers also participated in protest. " hospitals have t received dues of Rs 229 crore from BMC and state government. employees also did t receive salary for last month. We won't let hospitals shut under any circumstances," Sharmila Thackeray told reporters.

As issue gared steam, a labour union also held a demonstration demanding immediate release of salary to employees of hospitals. Apart from ruling Shiv Sena and Congress, agitation was also supported by opposition BJP and MNS.

"I have met CEO of Wia Hospital and also called on deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. BJP will t let facilities shut down," said Pravind Darekar, Leer of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council. State unit Congress president and Revenue Minister

Balasaheb Thorat said he would raise issue in Cabinet meeting scheduled on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mayor Pednekar said Shiv Sena-ruled civic body did t want hospitals to be shut. " pending amount of around Rs 20 crore will be paid to hospitals. We want hospitals to operate and continue providing medical facilities to Mumbaikars," she said.

mayor furr said BMC would hold a meeting with Wia Hospital authorities to discuss future course of action on Tuesday. According to sources in BMC, land was provided to Wia Trust in 1926 for running a 120-bed hospital on condition that it will have "50 per cent" of total beds reserved for poor and kin of mill workers.

" BMC has found that around 10 employees were getting pensions from Bai Jerbai Wia Hospital for Children and wrosjee Wia Maternity Hospital while six staffers were drawing salaries from both hospitals," a BMC official said. Meanwhile, Wia Hospital on Monday said outstanding dues from BMC runs into several crores to both hospitals.

"As on date as per GR (Government Resolution) dated 2010 and opted by BMC, civic body is yet to pay outstanding dues of Rs 31.44 crore to wrosjee Wia Maternity Hospital and Rs 105.85 crore to Bai Jerbai Wia Hospital for Children," it said in a statement.

Wia Hospital declined furr comment saying matter is pending before Bombay High Court. "As per Trust deeds of hospitals, re are four members from BMC on Board of Manment for both hospitals along with that of government of Maharashtra on Board of Manment. It is up to BMC who y want to appoint on Board," it said.

It furr stated that BMC, through its representatives on board of manment of both hospitals, is party to all decisions of hospitals as per provisions of Trust Deed.