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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court on Saturday asked the Maharashtra State Government to file an affidavit explaining its allocated budget and utilized budget for medical infrastructure in the state.

The division bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor, was hearing a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) registered by the high court concerning deaths in state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chattrapti Shambhajinagar.

The bench was informed that the government had not utilised its allocated budget and there was a shortage of medical, non-medical, and para-medical staff. The petitioners told the court that due to this several hospital hospitals were facing problems.

The high court also took note of the fact that it had earlier directed the government to fill the vacancies. In December 2023, the bench noted that vacancies in key positions are likely to hamper services and facilities in hospitals, emphasizing the urgent need to fill all such vacancies.

Earlier the bench also noted that appropriate steps should be taken to spend the allocated money because if it is not utilized, it gets lapsed at the cost of the healthcare system.

Therefore, the bench directed that a responsible officer shall file an affidavit explaining the budget allocated and the expense incurred, including the reason for not using the amount.

“Hence, we want an affidavit to be filed by a responsible officer of the state government of the total budgetary allocation and the expenditure incurred. In case the budgetary allocation has not been utilised then the affidavit shall also state the reason behind the same,” the order reads.

The bench then posted the matter for further hearing on January 29, 2025.