The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a counter affidavit within four weeks on steps being taken to ensure effective implementation of the scheme providing free X-ray facility in government hospitals in the state.
The Lucknow bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Krishana Murari passed the order yesterday on a PIL filed by a local lawyer.
The petitioner sought a direction to the state government for taking necessary steps for providing sufficient staff and necessary equipments for X- ray in government hospitals as per government order dated January 18.
The order was issued by the Director General, medical and health services, UP following which free X-ray facility was provided to patients in the government hospitals from January 20.
"The issue, which has been raised by the petitioner in these proceedings, is of some importance and hence, having due regard to the element of public interest involved, we direct the ... Respondents to file a counter affidavit explaining the steps which are being taken to ensure the effective implementation of the government order dated January 18,2014.
"Otherwise, the government order dated 18 January, 2014 will only remain an executive instruction on paper without any practical function," the court observed in its order.
It directed listing the matter on January 15, 2015.
The court had on Wednesday directed the Director General Medical Health and Director Medical Education and Health of Uttar Pradesh to file detailed reply by January 31 on a PIL seeking direction for proper functioning of government-run hospitals.
