IN RE: SUO MOTU COGNIZANCE OF DEFICIENCIES IN HEALTH SERVICES Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This suo moto writ petition filed by way of Public Interest Litigation was initiated by this Court on the basis of a letter dated 01-02- 2016 written by a number of advocates practicing before this Court. The learned advocates in the aforesaid letter raised their concern about the lack of proper health care services in the State of Meghalaya in general and Shillong in particular as far as State run Hospitals, CHCs and PHCs are concerned.

(2.) After notice was issued to the respondent-State, the Government by order dated 09-06-2016 constituted a High Power Committee to address the deficiency of health services in the State of Meghalaya and in the hospitals in the State with the following members:- (i) Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department as its Chairman,(ii) Principal Secretary, Planning/Finance/Personnel& A.R. Department or representative, (iii) M.D.National Health Mission, (iv) Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department, (v) Director Health Services (MCH& FW) and (vi) Director Health Services (Research) as its Members and Director Health Services (MI) as its Member Secretary.

(3.) This Court by order dated 09-06-2016 directed inclusion of Mr. H.S. Thangkhiew, then Sr. Advocate of this Court, as a co-opted member of the High Power Committee. By order dated 01-08-2016, the Medical Superintendent, NEIGRIHMS was also directed to be included as another co-opted member of Committee. Subsequently, however, Mr. H.S. Thangkhiew on 01-11-2018, the then Sr. Advocate, (now an honourable Judge of this Court) expressed his inability for personal reasons to be part of the Committee. He was therefore relieved and it was observed that he shall be substituted by another member to be nominated on the next date.