Jharkhand High Court Reprimands State Government

Ranchi: Pronouncing that the doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) are very qualified but with no equipment and infrastructure, they are not able to perform their duties as expected, the Jharkhand High Court has recently reprimanded the State Government Secretaries for their alleged careless approach to improve the condition of the only tertiary care centre for Covid-19 amid surging cases of fatal infection.

The High Court division bench comprising of Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad opined that the State bureaucrats were mere "statues" who only listen but fail to act.

The HC bench further mentioned that merely filing an affidavit before the court would not help improve the situation. The case has been scheduled to be next heard on April 18.

The observation came while listening to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing the poor condition of Ranchi-based Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). The PIL also referred to the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the State.

Ranchi deputy commissioner, civil surgeon, and RIMS director were present during the online hearing.

Also Read: Unfortunate: PG Medical Student of RIMS allegedly commits suicide

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, during the hearing, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan submitted before the Court that facilities have been increased at the Sadar hospital and 300 beds with oxygen support have been commissioned. He also informed that the procedure to purchase a CT scan machine at RIMS has also been initiated.

Addressing the poor infrastructure of the RIMS, the HC bench observed,

"The doctors at Rims are very qualified but with no equipment and infrastructure, they are not able to perform their duties as expected. The government has not done anything for the past one year to improve the system."

Warning the Advocate General that leaving the things as it is and not taking note of the situation would lead people to revolt, the HC bench further mentioned,

"Government secretaries and officers seem to think that the court is requesting them to comply with our orders. This is not the case."

Finally, the Court mentioned the Spanish flu that claimed thousands of lives and observed that the Government needed to take appropriate measures to deal with the situation. It noted;

"The Spanish Flu had claimed many lives. The government has to beef up its system to fight the medical emergency."

Also Read: Jharkhand High Court orders RIMS Director to appear before it on November 4