Maharashtra to amend Charitable Trust Act

The state is all set to get tough on trust-run hospitals not toeing the government line on treatment for poor. It plans to amend section 66 (f) of the Charitable Trust Act to increase punishment for hospitals which are found denying 20 per cent beds to poor patients.

According to the Act, hospitals registered with the charity commission have to reserve 10 per cent of sanctioned operational beds for indigent patients (those with income less than Rs 50,000 per annum) and provide them services free, besides reserving an additional 10 per cent of beds for economically weaker sections (annual family income between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh) and bill them the lowest for billable items.“The government will scrutinise the amendment and after the scrutiny shall seek the nod of the state Cabinet. An amendment bill to this effect shall be brought before the legislature in the next session,” chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said Wednesday in the state Legislative Council.

The CM was replying to a debate on the calling attention notice moved by Sanjay Dutt and others. He informed the House that government had repeatedly conducted raids on these hospitals and ensured treatment worth Rs 203 crore to poor patients. He admitted that the current provisions of serving a three-month notice to such hospitals, Rs 20,000 fine or both were not enough. Hence, the government intends to increase the quantum of punishment, the CM said.

The CM said the hospitals run by charitable trusts receive concessions in electricity tariffs, income tax, and extra FSI for hospital buildings, among others. So, they are expected to provide services to poor patients against the concessions they enjoy, he said. The CM further said that the government has already withdrawn concessions extended to 12 hospitals in Mumbai and Pune. They include nine in Mumbai — P D Hinduja Hospital (Mahim), BSES MG Hospital (Andheri), Holy Family Hospital (Bandra), St Elizabeth hospital (Malabar Hills), Lotus Eye Hospital (Juhu), Conwest Jain clinic (Girgaum), Sushilaben Mehta Cardian Institute (Sion), Lion Tarachand Bapa Hospital (Sion), and Masker Nursing Home. The three Pune-based charity hospitals are Maria multi-specialty hospital, Cochlea Pune for hearing and speech, and Parmar multi-specialty hospital and maternity home. “Also, a warning has been issued to 12 hospitals and show-cause notices issued to six,” the CM said.