Medical College Deans can buy equipment without government nod: HC order

Nagpur: A startling revelation of facts came out in a recent Bombay High Court case wherein it was revealed that two prominent medical institutions had not exhausted their funds, despite a court ruling oh October 29,2015.

The case has indeed brought to light a total lack of follow up on the part of the government on judicial rulings and the laid back attitude of those affected by them.The HC order dated 29th October, 2015 clearly stated that Deans of colleges do not require prior administrative approval for spending money and if they fail to do so, are liable for contempt. To make matters worse t, despite the court ruling, he government recently, came out with a GR prohibiting all deans from spending funds of over Rs 50,000, without its approval. An embarrassing faux pas this time on the part of the state and hence, the over flow of funds in the college kitty's.

The concerned medical colleges in this case are the GMC and the IGGMC and super specialty hospital (SSH) whose Deans were instructed by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday, to go ahead with purchases of equipment without waiting for prior administrative approval from the state government.

The division bench comprising of Justices Bhushan Gavai and Indira Jain has now reminded the government of the HC order dated 29^th October, 2015, questioning it about the need for deans having to seek prior approval for equipment purchase for hospitals. The court was responding to an affidavit submitted by an amicus curiae about pending funds in the kitty of the GMC and IGGMC, reports TOI.

Earlier, Gilda had pointed out that IGGMC required a new CT-Scan and MRI machines, while SSH was in urgent need of machines like the 4-D Eco .

It had stated that the authorities should ensure that the funds sanctioned under the District Planning Committee (DPC) were utilized for equipment procurement and improvement of pivotal health care systems.

It was also mentioned that the Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur was also sanctioned Rs. 1.1 crore, which could be utilized for improving the facilities.

The court was hearing a PIL of CH Sharma and others, regarding lack of amenities in Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCHs) across Vidarbha.