BBMP cannot use pending inquiry to delay Covid dues: Karnataka HC
The hospitals moved the HC as the state and BBMP did not release the dues, citing the Commission of Inquiry constituted to probe alleged irregularities in Covid-19. Now, the court has directed them to pay the dues with 6 per cent interest per annum from bills dated October 17, 2022 and November 11, 2022, till the date of payment.
The state government admitted that dues are to be paid to them. However, the BBMP contended that it had submitted an application to the
Covid Enquiry Commission to permit to make payment of Rs 44.21 crore to various private laboratories towards the dues in respect of RT-PCR tests and Rs 2.20 crore to the concerns which are stated to have lent hearse van services during Covid-19 pandemic in favour of the petitioners and other persons. However, the commission rejected it through an order dated October 27, 2023.
Justice SR Krishna Kumar, in his order, noted that no reliance can be placed upon the said order dated October 27, 2023, passed by the Covid Enquiry Commission to the BBMP to avoid its undisputed liability to pay the pending dues in favour of the petitioners, who would be entitled to recover the same from BBMP. It is also pertinent to note that mere pendency of enquiry by the Covid Enquiry Commission cannot be made on the basis of the undisputed dues in favour of the petitioners, the court said.
The court however also observed that it is relevant to state that in the absence of any prohibitory order passed by the Commission which restrains BBMP from making payment in favour of the petitioners, it cannot be said that the mere pendency of the enquiry simpliciter can be used as a shield by BBMP to justify its non-payment of the admitted dues to the petitioners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Siddaramaiah flags possible Covid vaccine link in heart attack deaths
The Karnataka government on Tuesday announced formation of a committee to study potential side effects of Covid-19 vaccines, including links to heart attacks, amid reports that at least 20 people have died due to cardiac arrest in the state's Hassan district alone over the last one month. 'Owing to this, a committee has been formed under the leadership of Dr Ravindranath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research, and they have been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days,' Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in a post on social media platform X. This comes after the Karnataka government had ordered the formation of an expert committee in February to investigate the rising number of sudden deaths among young people, amid growing concerns that these incidents may be linked to Covid vaccine. 'In this regard, the process of examining and analysing heart patients is also underway,' Siddaramaiah added. He alleged in his post that the rushed approval and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine may also be a contributing factor to these deaths, citing several international studies that have recently suggested a possible link between the vaccines and a rise in heart attacks. 'We, too, value the lives of children, youth, and innocent people who have their entire lives ahead of them, and we share the concerns of their families,' he added. The CM's charge comes even as several studies and experts have highlighted cases of vaccinated people facing adverse events. In May last year, a team of researchers from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) had claimed that nearly one third of the individuals who received Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech) were reported to have faced adverse events of special interest (AESI) such as viral upper respiratory tract infections, menstrual abnormalities and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had later criticised the study, calling it poorly designed, with a poor methodology and critical flaws in the design of the study. The AstraZeneca vaccine, which was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, was sold in the country under the name Covishield. Siddaramaiah added that the government will investigate the true cause behind the recent spate of sudden deaths in Hassan district and across the state, and take necessary steps to prevent further incidents. 'With this goal, we have already implemented schemes like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya to monitor public health. Based on the report from the expert committee under Dr Ravindranath's guidance, necessary actions will also be taken,' he said.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Telangana HC gives govt one week to decide on termination of minor rape victim's 21-week pregnancy
Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the state government and the superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad to immediately constitute a medical board to look into a request for medical termination of a rape victim's 21-week pregnancy and inform the court of its opinion within a week. Justice K Sarath gave the order while hearing a petition filed by the NGO Prajwala seeking a court direction for immediate and comprehensive tests to be conducted on the 17-year-old rape victim. The NGO sought examinations by a qualified surgeon, gynaecologist, and obstetrician, in the presence of a qualified physician to formulate an opinion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act 1971. Seeking termination of the pregnancy at the earliest, the NGO said continuation of pregnancy posed a grave risk to the girl's health. It was submitted that the girl was rescued from a brothel and admitted to Prajwala's home for such victims for rehabilitation on the orders of a court and that during a routine medical checkup, it came to light that she was pregnant. The NGO also stated that the girl wants to end the pregnancy and doesn't want to carry it to term. Senior advocate Deepak Misra, appearing on behalf of Prajwala, argued that forcing a minor victim of sexual exploitation and trafficking to continue a pregnancy would severely harm her mental health, as per the MTP Act. He stressed that the minor is legally entitled to seek termination of her pregnancy if it poses a serious risk to her physical and mental well-being. 'Under section 3 of the MTP Act, pregnancy can be terminated upto 20 weeks of pregnancy and above 20 weeks, there should be a medical board which should examine and give consent. And section 6 of the MTP Act states that if the person is a minor, sex worker or rape victim, then they can go for termination even after 20 weeks,' the senior advocate said. He further argued that the minor victim is entitled to seek termination if it causes grave injury to her physical and mental health. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Healthy India must to fulfil dreamof ‘Viksit Bharat' by 2047: Prez
Gorakhpur: Emphasizing the role of traditional Indian healthcare systems and lifestyle in the country's progress, President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that the dream of making India a 'vishwaguru' by 2047 can be realized only if the citizens are healthy. Inaugurating Uttar Pradesh's first AYUSH University, Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University, in Gorakhpur, the President said: "Today, India's voice is being heard across the world, but every citizen must contribute to sustain that momentum. We say health is wealth. If we remain healthy, our dream of making India a Viksit Bharat and a 'vishwaguru' can be realised by 2047." She said that institutions like AYUSH university would play a crucial role in the journey by advancing education and healthcare. "People must adopt the Ayurvedic and nature-based lifestyle alongside the modern medicine. It is important to follow our age-old traditions to maintain health, even after taking conventional medicine," she said. Praising the infrastructure at the newly inaugurated university built at a cost of Rs 268 crore, Murmu said that around 100 AYUSH colleges would benefit through affiliation with it. She said the university will undertake education and research to align AYUSH practices with international standards and scientific credibility. "Special emphasis will be given on research to build trust and global acceptance of AYUSH systems," she said, thanking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his vision of the first such university in the state. She said, "Today we have resources and facilities, but we must use them wisely for the well-being of our bodies." Acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in promoting yoga and endorsing its implementation in modern life, the President said, "To empower ourselves physically and mentally, we must practice yoga. If done regularly, yoga can reduce the need for eight hours of sleep to just three hours. Yoga may not be essential for those doing hard physical work, but it is a necessity for officegoers who do not perform physical activities. " "Since 2014, the central govt and, from 2017, the Uttar Pradesh govt have established dedicated AYUSH departments to actively promote these beneficial traditional systems both in India and abroad with renewed energy," she added. She expressed confidence that Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University will become a confluence of tradition and modernity and play a decisive role in enhancing the scientific credibility and global popularity of Indian traditional medicine systems. "Such institutions will help AYUSH systems gain international acceptance and strengthen India's soft power in the world," she added. Highlighting the spiritual and historical legacy of the Gorakhpur region, she said: "This land of penance, meditation, and spirituality is also the foundation of self-respect and national pride. From the 18th-century monk-led revolts to the 1857 freedom struggle, the yogis of the Nath sect from Gorakhpur have played a key role in public welfare and India's fight for independence." The President lauded 'Gita Press', which she described as a sacred institution that has kept India's spiritual roots alive for over a century. "Their publications, including editions in Odia like the 'Bhagavata Purana', have spiritually nourished millions," she said, recalling her visit to Gorakhnath Temple where she received Odia translations of 'Shiv Purana' and 'Bhagavata' as mementoes. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
