Non-disclosure of Sahyadri-Manipal deal sparks probe

Time of India

6 days ago

Pune: The Manipal Group's acquisition of a majority stake in the Sahyadri Group of Hospitals continues to raise eyebrows. The joint charity commissioner of Pune division has initiated an inquiry against Sahyadri for non-disclosure of the deal.
This comes shortly after the Pune Municipal Corporation sent two notices seeking an explanation from the hospital on the effect the deal might have on land ownership and health schemes coverage.
Joint charity commissioner Rajni Kshirsagar said, 'Sahyadri hospital has not given us any information about the recent transaction. Based on the news reported in the media, we have started an investigation through an inspector two days ago.
Further action will be taken after the investigation report comes.'
TOI reached out to Sahyadri for comment and a response was awaited till going to press.
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The transaction between Sahyadri and Manipal covers all 11 hospitals run by the former, but only one, the Deccan Road branch, is a charitable trust and covered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. Being a charitable hospital, it is entitled to multiple benefits under taxation.
The management was bound to inform the joint charity commissioner's officer regarding any change in ownership or management of the hospital, which Kshirsagar said Sahyadri failed to do.
Furthermore, a letter was sent by advocate Sushrut Kamble to the officer of joint charity commissioner, alleging multiple violations of rules in these transactions.
In 1998, PMC leased a 23,000 sqft plot in Deccan to Konkan Mitra Mandal Medical Trust for a nominal fee of Re 1 per year, for 99 years, to provide affordable healthcare to the needy.
The trust later built Sahyadri hospital on the plot.
After news of the transaction came out, PMC's estate department and the health department issued a show cause notice, asking the hospital management for clarification on any changes in the ownership of the leased land and healthcare under various schemes.
In a statement, Amitkumar Khatu, Sahyadri's chief legal and compliance officer, said the transfer of shares to Manipal Group will not affect patient service, management, or the organisation's values.
Hospital's legal team meets civic chief
Earlier in the day, the Sahyadri Group of Hospitals' legal team met with municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, as well as officials from PMC's health and estate departments. An official who attended the meeting, on the condition of anonymity, said, 'There was a meeting between PMC officials and the Sahyadri management. The issues raised by various media reports pertaining to the recent transaction were discussed.
The legal head of the hospital gave verbal clarification that they will soon submit documents pertaining to questions raised about the transaction and other legal matters.'
Pune Municipal Corporation had raised questions about the proposed deal and whether or not it would affect the current health services provided by the hospital for patients covered under various govt-run health insurance schemes. The civic body also raised questions about changes, if any, pertaining to the land ownership following the deal.