Defaulting States, UTs told to Upload Data about Mental Health Facilities on Centre's Online Portal by Supreme Court

New Delhi: Taking note of the fact that the Central Government has set up an online portal for providing information on mental health facilities available in India, the Supreme Court on Friday told the defaulting States including Jharkhand, Bihar and the union territory of Lakshadweep for uploading the details within two weeks.

So far, altogether 31 States and Union Territories have provided requisite details in the online portal for this purpose, the Union Government informed the Apex Court bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta.

Taking note of the defaulting states, the bench ordered, “We direct the states and UTs to furnish the relevant information.” The Public Interest Litigation filed by lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal has been listed for further hearing after three weeks, adds PTI.

The PIL sought rehabilitation and Covid-19 vaccination of mentally-ill people currently residing in various hospitals and mental healthcare institutions across the country.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Supreme Court in September 2021, had passed several directions and directed the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to set up a dashboard for seamless information in connection with facilities available in states and Union Territories (UTs) for mentally challenged people.

It had said that the dashboard should include -- availability of institutions, capacity, facilities provided, occupancy, and also region wise distribution of the half-way homes should reflect on the online dashboard.

Also Read: Online dashboard on mental health facilities to be set up in a month: Center tells SC

“We direct that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment must set up an online dashboard in which complete details in regard to: (i) availability of institutions; (ii) facilities provided; (iii) capacity; (iv) occupancy; and (v) region-wise distribution of the Half-way Homes is made available state-wise and for the UTs.

“The availability of Half-way Homes must also be reflected in the online dashboard. The data of each State and Union Territory must be uploaded on the dashboard on a real time basis,” the bench had ordered.

Back in September 2022, the Central Government had informed the Supreme Court that in a month, it would set up an online portal for seamless information in connection with mental health facilities available in the country.

The law officer had said the government has invited tenders so real time information on mental health facilities right down to the district level can be displayed on the portal.

“The portal would be ready and functional within a period of a month,” the law officer had said leading to the adjournment of the hearing on the PIL to January 27.