Second AIIMS project in Bihar: Patna HC tells state to finalize site in two weeks

Patna: Amidst the ongoing delay with regard to the establishment of the second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) like institute in the State of Bihar, the Patna High Court has recently directed the authorities to positively conduct an inspection of the site so chosen by a team of officers within two weeks.

The direction came following public interest litigation aimed at ensuring that the second AIIMS as promised by the Central Government under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) becomes a reality for the people of Bihar at the earliest.

The PIL sought relief via issuance of For issuance of Mandamus order, directing the State of Bihar to identify the site(s) for the establishment of the AIIMS like Hospital. Further, it asked the court to direct the Central Government to finalize the site identified by the State Government and expedite the construction.

The PIL mentioned about the announcement made by the Union Finance Minister in his 2015 - 2016 Budget Speech for opening of second AIIMS for Bihar, besides the one which has already been established in Patna. The cost of setting up this second AIIMS is likely to be more than Rs.1500 Crores.

Following this, the Union Health Minister via a letter asked the Chief Minister of Bihar to identify suitable alternate locations for setting up of a new AIIMS like Institution. The letter also clarified that the cost of construction and running of the new AIIMS like institution would be met by the Central Government under PMSSY.

"Thereafter, several letters on different dates were written by the various high ranking officials of the State Government and the Central Government and three years have passed but even today the site for setting up of second AIIMS in Bihar has not been finalized, " reads the petition.

The petition further stressed upon the information available on the official websites of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Central Government of India that read as quoted in the PIL;

"...the progress of various AIIMS set up under PMSSY it is further evident, that two new AIIMS were announced during Budget Speech 2017-18 of the Union Finance Minister and regarding one the concerned State Government offered four sites for establishment of new AIIMS and site selection/finalization by the Central Government is under process. Regarding the other the site has been approved and the construction work is progressing."

"The above-mentioned statistics it is clear that all other AIIMS - like institutions under PMSSY have either been established and made functional or they are under various stages of being established after finalization of the site. However, no progress at all has been achieved regarding the selection of a site for the construction of second AIIMS in Bihar so far, despite the Central Government continually asking the State Government to do the needful ever since 2015," stated the petititioner

More than three years have passed yet the project has seen no daylight. As per the petition, it appears that ever since the announcement was made, political parties of all hues have been briefing media and indulging in all sorts of blame game but they did not sit together to find a way out for early identification and finalization of the site for second AIIMS in Bihar under PMSSY.

Also Read: Land issue delaying second AIIMS project in Bihar

The issue was brought in the high court, wherein, Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh observed;

"Unfortunately, for more than 3 years, the issue is lying pending consideration, before the authorities, depriving the people of Bihar, benefits of specialized medical facilities and treatment."

It was noted that earlier there were talks of converting Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga (DMCH) into such institution but it appeared that the proposal was not found feasible. The same was communicated and t thereafter certain developments have taken place and the State Government has given its active consideration to the establishment of the institute, at the same place or any other place.

In its submission, the state government stated that the proposal will be moved ahead.

"Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Bihar, states that he shall ensure that the proposal afresh shall be placed with the Special Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on or before 02.12.2019, " the court noted.

Subsequently, the court noted that the appropriate authority would take a decision and directed to conduct the inspection within two weeks. The court held;

"S. D. Sanjay, learned A.S.G. after obtaining instructions from the Special Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India states that the said request shall be considered in the affirmative and the site so chosen, shall positively be get inspected by a team of officers, within a period of two weeks thereafter."

The court added;

"We hope and expect that thereafter, the appropriate authority would take a decision, which we direct shall positively be so done within a period of two weeks."