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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka High Court orders BBMP to pay Rs 10-crore dues for pandemic medical services
The Karnataka High Court has in two separate matters directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to pay over Rs 10 crore to two medical establishments for services during the pandemic. The matters were heard by a bench of Justice S R Krishna Kumar, with the final order being delivered on June 2 and made publicly available this week. Vijayalakshmi Diagnostics Private Limited approached the court for the recovery of Rs 5.8-crore dues from the BBMP, to which the company supplied RT-PCR testing services in 2020-2022. The court observed that the facts were similar to another case, already decided, involving BGS Global Institute of Medical Science, where dues of Rs 4.5 crore were payable for providing 24 x 7 RT-PCR services. The BBMP argued that the Covid inquiry commission–set up to examine irregularities in the pandemic management–had rejected the company's request to pay the bills. BGS Global Institute, however, contended that their services and the payment were not part of the subject matter of the inquiry, led by retired judge Michael Cunha. The court observed, 'It is an undisputed fact that the claim of the petitioner…is towards non-payment of dues in relation to RTPCR tests conducted by the petitioner, which are clearly not the subject matter of the enquiry before the Covid Enquiry Commission. Under these circumstances, I am of the view that no reliance can be placed upon the said order dated 27.10.2023 passed by the Covid Enquiry Commission by the BBMP in order to avoid its undisputed liability to pay the pending dues in favour of the petitioner, who would be entitled to recover the same from respondent No.2-BBMP.' The court said the mere pendency of the inquiry could not be a basis to withhold undisputed dues and directed the payments to be made along with interest calculated at 6 per cent per annum.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
BBMP cannot use pending inquiry to delay Covid dues: Karnataka HC
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to pay dues of Rs 4.53 crore to BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences and Rs 5.88 crore to Vijayalakshmi Diagnostics Private Limited for services provided during the Covid-19 pandemic in terms of ICMR and state government directions and guidelines in 2020-22. 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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Karnataka HC orders BBMP, govt. to clear ₹10.41 crore COVID dues to private health centres pending since 2022
The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to pay ₹10.41 crore to two private health establishments towards the pending dues to them for providing COVID-19 testing facilities way back during 2020-2022. Two petitions Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar issued the directions while allowing the separate petitions filed by BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Kengeri and Vijayalakshmi Diagnostics Pvt Ltd (VDPL), Nagarbhavi. BGS had sought directions for release of ₹4.53 crore and VDPL had sought release of ₹5.88 crore while pointing out that the authorities, though have admitted payment due to the petitioners, had said that they were unable to release the remaining amount due to pendency of enquiry before a One-Man Commission of Inquiry into the irregularities occurred during COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2023. The petitioners have said that the payment of the remaining amount is pending since 2022. The BBMP had told the court that it had sought permission from the commission of inquiry to release around ₹44 crore to various establishments towards the balance amount due for providing various health services during COVID-19, but the commission had rejected their request pending inquiry. Not under inquiry However, the court said that non-payment of dues in relation to RT-PCR tests conducted by the petitioners was not the subject matter of the inquiry before the commission. 'It is clear that in the light of the undisputed/admitted fact that the BBMP had not paid the legitimate dues payable to the petitioners, in the absence of any material to show any kind of nexus or connection whatsoever between the liability of the BBMP and the inquiry commission, it cannot be said that the BBMP was not liable to pay/clear the legitimate dues payable to the petitioners,' the court said while directing release of the amount to the petitioners within six weeks.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Port City ready for IYD celebration
Visakhapatnam: The11th International Yoga Day will be one of the biggest editions ever organised and the district administration is pulling out all stops to make it a massive success. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving in Visakhapatnam a day before to take part in Yogandhra-2025 scheduled on June 21 (Saturday), he was received by Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan along with an army of Ministers at Visakhapatnam Airport on Friday. The Prime Minister will take part in the International Yoga Day to be held at RK Beach scheduled to commence at 6:30 am and last till 7:45 am. Terming it as a historical celebration, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu mentioned that over 2 crore people will join the mega event scheduled in 1 lakh different locations across the State. In Visakhapatnam, about 26-km-long stretch that runs along RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam has been readied for the Yoga Day celebrations and the event is set to find a place in Guinness World Records along with a host of other world records for its largest participation ever. Long stretches of Beach Road have been carpeted in green, barricades were placed and flexies were installed, greeting Modi at various places across the city. About 326 compartments were facilitated forthe purpose. Guinness Record representatives will be present in each compartment at the beach stretch as the massive event is set to break world records. For safety reasons, an army of professional swimmers and snake catchers will be deployed along the stretch. A temporary hospital has been facilitated at every 5-km stretch. This apart, 335 LED screens and 326 WiFi points were facilitated. Approximately, 10,000 vehicles, including RTC buses, were used for transportation of the participants. Tight security cover is in place with 10,000 police personnel. As part of the safety protocol, the officials went through RT-PCR tests on Friday.
India Today
12-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Is India's Covid testing facing price gaps and delay in data?
India is seeing an uptick in Covid-19 infections, reaching over 7,000 cases. But in contrast to earlier waves, there seems to be gaps in diagnosis and the current season of rampant viral infections and many individuals showing symptoms, RT-PCR tests are neither being prescribed widely nor being voluntarily taken."Most of the Covid-19 testing we're seeing today is happening within hospitals, where viral panel testing is mandatory before procedures or in cases of severe symptoms. Neither clinicians nor patients are approaching it with the same urgency anymore," said Dr. Vibhu Kawatra, a Delhi-based pulmonologist and allergy RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction), which remains the gold standard for detecting Covid-19, works by identifying the virus's genetic material in nasal or throat Dr. Kawatra pointed out, "Only a doctor can prescribe an RT-PCR test, and unless the symptoms are severe or hospitalisation is required, the test is often skipped."Even when testing is sought, accessibility and affordability are serious barriers. RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription–Polymerase Chain Reaction), which remains the gold standard for detecting Covid-19, works by identifying the virus's genetic material in nasal or throat samples. (Photo: AFP) In the private sector, RT-PCR test prices vary drastically depending on the diagnostic lab. Dr. Path Labs charges upwards of Rs 5,000 for a home collection, while Max Healthcare offers the same at Rs 500. At Dr. Dangs Lab, a home visit costs Rs 700. Similar price ranges are being seen across neighbourhood clinics as wide pricing disparity reflects the fragmented nature of the diagnostic sector, proving to be despite this inconsistent pricing model, there seems to be reduced testing rates, coupled with the closure of many free government testing centres.A recent visit to Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi revealed that the Covid testing window had been shut down. Many other government-run facilities have scaled back or completely discontinued RT-PCR testing, further limiting testing options for the general cases highlight the need for routine testing to monitor its spread."The patients who have died not just had Covid-19 but also had underlying health conditions. It is not always the virus alone, but the comorbidities that tip the scale," said Dr. Sudeep Khanna, gastroenterologist and liver specialist at Indraprastha Apollo IN VIRUS GENOMIC DATASurveillance at the national level is also facing Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the official body monitoring Covid-19 variants in India, has been slow in releasing updated epidemiological data. There seems to be reduced testing rates, coupled with the closure of many free government testing centres. () Only limited information has been shared so far for newer variants like LF.1, NB.1.8.1, and XFG, making it difficult to gauge the evolving nature of the health experts stress the need for proactive surveillance, affordable and accessible testing, and better data STOCKPILEGovernment sources told India Today that there are enough Covid-19 vaccines in storage and ready to use. "We are fully prepared for any situation. We have enough stockpile to meet the requirements of our citizens. Moreover, if needed, we can even supply vaccines to other countries," the sources 1 billion people in India have taken at least one dose of either Covishield or Covaxin. Only limited information has been shared so far for newer variants like LF.1, NB.1.8.1, and XFG, making it difficult to gauge the evolving nature of the virus. () Covishield, manufactured and distributed by the Serum Institute of India under a licence from AstraZeneca, stopped being produced in December 2021 because fewer people were taking Covaxin, India's first home-grown Covid-19 vaccine made by Bharat Biotech with ICMR-NIV, also stopped production in early the halt in manufacturing, officials say that vaccine availability is not a believe the current rise in cases may be due to seasonal changes in respiratory infections though global health experts say the protection from past infections and vaccines may be wearing off, which could be causing new spikes in some general information about Covid-19 continues to be available, there seems to be hindrances in the timely response to the InMust Watch
