"Only Worried About Votes And Not The Voters": Calcutta High Court Slams State Over Lack Of Medical Facilities In Rural Areas

Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam on Tuesday took severe exception to the lack of medical facilities provided by the state government to hospitals in rural areas.

While hearing a matter on a hospital in Mathurapur, where the number of ten beds had not been increased since 1976, the Chief Justice sitting on a division bench also comprising Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das) orally observed: 

"The Principal Secretary, Health Department has justified the non-increase in the capacity of a 10-bed hospital since 1976...this is unacceptable. Unless you are dragged you will not do...you are not concerned about the citizens. Let them die...let them die. In 1976 there was a 10-bed hospital...in 2025 the principal secretary is saying the same 10 bed hospital is enough...no idiot will believe."

"You can do wonders in 48 hours, the city can be transformed...you are so proud of the lights on Park Street on Christmas and New years...people are suffering...and here is a stand that a 10-bed hospital from 1976 is enough...they should work with conscience...only worried about votes and not the voters," the chief justice added.

The court further added that only after a status quo order had been issued, the department initiated work in the hospital, which had otherwise lay neglected since 1976. It stated that the people living in remote areas of the state should also have access to quality healthcare and should not have to travel hours to come to Kolkata, suffering negatively till they reach the city.

It was observed that without political will, the bureaucrats such as the principal secretary of the health department would be powerless to act.

"Bureaucrats cannot work without political will. It is very difficult to pull the chariot without devotion. You need to change your recruitment policy. The people have put you in power, it is your responsibility to give something back," the court remarked.