CHENNAI: The Madras high court warned the chief secretary of Puducherry of serious consequences if the territorial administration fails to refund costs incurred by private hospitals that provided treatment to Covid-19 patients on government's request.
Setting September 30 as the deadline to comply with the order, the court said: “In the event the status report does not indicate substantial refund having already been completed, serious consequences may visit the officials, particularly the chief secretary and the secretary or other official heading the health department.”
The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice P D Audikesavalu passed the order on a PIL moved by A Anand seeking direction to the government to disburse the amount as promised.
When the plea came up for hearing on Friday, the petitioner informed the court that so far no reimbursement had been made.
Recording the submissions, the court said: “Sufficient time has been afforded to the government of Puducherry to refund money paid by citizens for obtaining treatment at private care facilities since the government medical hospital and facilities during the second surge of Covid-19 could not admit all persons.”
Despite previous assurances that refunds would be made and the money due to the private medical facilities which had been requisitioned for the purpose would also be discharged, a further request is made on behalf of the union territory for a status report to be filed, the court added.
