'Not concerned about citizens, let them die': HC slams West Bengal Health dept over lack of Rural Healthcare facilities

Kolkata: Slamming the state government over its failure to enhance healthcare facilities for people in rural areas, the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that a 10-bed Primary Health Centre (PHC), has not been expanded since 1976, despite acquiring 13 bighas of land from a local citizen in connection. 

Pointing out that several decades have passed without any development in the facility and that people are unable to utilize it for their current needs, the division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) remarked, "Unless you are dragged you will not do...you are not concerned about the citizens. Let them die...let them die. In 1976 there was a 10-bed hospital...in 2025 the principal secretary is saying the same 10-bed hospital is enough...no idiot will believe." 

The court made the remarks while hearing a petition in which a social worker from the Sunderban in South 24 Parganas said that his ancestors had donated around 13 bighas of land to the state government in 1976 to upgrade and construct an additional building at the local 10-bed primary health centre (PHC). However, the hospital hasn’t been upgraded yet.

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Accusing the state of neglecting citizens' well-being and failing to take proactive steps to improve healthcare facilities, the court observed that the state government instead of strengthening the PHC planned to establish a mega surface water supply scheme on that land to provide water to people in 11 blocks.

Highlighting how it takes pride in festive decorations in Kolkata while rural areas struggle with inadequate healthcare services, the court said, "You can do wonders in 48 hours, the city can be transformed...you are so proud of the lights on Park Street on Christmas and New years...people are suffering...and here is a stand that a 10-bed hospital from 1976 is enough...they should work with conscience...only worried about votes and not the voters."

In response, the state’s counsel assured the court that the health centre would be upgraded to a 25-bed medical facility following the court’s directives.

Calling the move 'Shameful', the court said, "It is very shameful for us. Even for providing wheelchair, we have to issue directions. You have to change the employment policy. How do the courts instil discipline in contractual workers?”

The court further added that only after a status quo order had been issued, did the department initiate work in the hospital, which had otherwise lay neglected since 1976. It stated that the people living in remote areas of the state should also have access to quality healthcare and should not have to travel hours to come to Kolkata, suffering negatively till they reach the city, reports Live Law. 

The Sunderban, located at the southern tip of the state, has around 102 islands. Around half of these remote islands are inhabited while the rest comprise. Boats are the only mode of transport.

Citing a comparison of healthcare facilities in its home state, the chief justice remarked, "You come to my home state (Tamil Nadu). I will show you what are the facilities in PHCs and the sort of doctors and patronage they have got. They conduct medical camps. When a school reopens after vacation the doctors go to the school."

“If there is a will there is a way. Bureaucrats can’t function if there is no political will. The principal secretary can do nothing. He has got daggers above his head. They need to protect their office and themselves also,” the bench stated as reported by HT. 

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