The Delhi High Court was recently informed that the construction of a 100-bedded hospital unit in Najafgarh area of the national capital has been completed and what now remains is the connection of electricity and water supply.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad was dealing with a plea by a lawyer seeking completion of the project of establishment of 100-bedded hospital at Delhi’s Najafgarh, the foundation stone for which was laid way back in 2014.
Filed in 2021 by one Rajesh Kaushik, through Advocates Sameer Chandra and Kuldeep Singh, the plea pointed out that the decision to establish the National Institute of Paramedical Sciences at the Najafgarh area was taken in 2011-2012. However, the Cabinet approved only for the establishment of a 100-bedded hospital at the said area, and accordingly the work was started.
Claiming that though the building of the hospital seems to have been completed since long, yet it has not been made operational, the plea sought completion of the project at the earliest so that the residents of over 73 villages nearby could benefit and avail their right to get good medical care.
During the course of the hearing, the counsel representing the Centre informed the court that the construction of the entire hospital is over; however, there is no electricity and water connection in the hospital. The court was assured that the Centre is making all possible efforts to ensure electricity and water connections are provided at an early date.
In light of the submission, the Court granted four weeks’ time to the government to ensure that electricity and water connections are provided to the hospital, while making it clear that in case of failure in abiding by the order, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as the Secretary of the Department of Health in Delhi Government will be directed to appear personally before the court.
“By way of last indulgence, four weeks’ time is granted to the W.P.(C) 5758/2021 Page 2 of 2 Respondents to ensure that electricity and water connections are provided to the hospital, failing which this Court shall be directing personal appearance of Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as Secretary, Department of Health, GNCTD before this Court,” the Bench held.
The matter is slated for next hearing on May 8, 2023.