Failure To Pay Hospital Dues : HC Asks Details Of Punjab Govt Funds Spent On Ads, Renovation Of Minister's Houses, Litigation

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed Punjab's Principal Secretary, Finance to file an affidavit giving expenses incurred by the State on publishing advertisement in print and audio-video media, expenses incurred on renovation of the houses of Miniters, MLAs, money spent on litigation at Delhi High Court and Supreme during the period, December 2021 till September 2024.

The development came after the Court found that "no satisfactory explanation" was put forth by the Punjab Government on why despite the funds having been received from the Government of India, the dues of over Rs.500 crores were not paid to the hospitals under Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Justice Vinod Bhardwaj sought affidavit from the Punjab Government under the following heads:

(i) The expenses incurred for publishing advertisement in print and audio- video media including break-up about the States and languages where such advertisements have been published/played.

(ii) The expenses incurred on renovation of the houses/offices of Class-I officers as well as Ministers/MLAs in Punjab.

(iii) Expenses incurred in purchase of new vehicles alongwith their make for the Ministers/MLAs and Class-I officers in the State of Punjab.

(iv) The litigation expenses paid for pursuing matters before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India or Delhi High Court in defending/pursuing matters for the State of Punjab or for any other person or agency and instrumentality of State of Punjab or outside.

(v) The expenditure incurred in various social welfare schemes such as free electricity, Atta Dal Scheme etc. as against the budgetary allocation for the same period.(iii) Expenses incurred in purchase of new vehicles alongwith their make for the Ministers/MLAs and Class-I officers in the State of Punjab.

The judge said that the above information is being sought currently for examining as to whether the funds/grants received for any specific purpose are being misapplied or misutilized or not.

It also observed that, "the State, having received money for any specified purpose, is a custodian of said money only to release it to the actual beneficiaries and certainly cannot be permitted to retain the amount leaving the citizens litigating for their dues and misappropriate the said grants at the costs of the actual recipient."

Also read: High Court Attaches Salary Of Punjab Health Secy, Others For Not Paying Dues To Hospitals Despite Release Of Funds Under Ayushman Bharat

Mr. Adityajit Singh Chadha, Advocate for the petitioners.

Ms. Akshita Chauhan, DAG, Punjab.

Mr. Brijeshwar Singh Kanwar, Sr. Panel Counsel for respondent No.2-SHA.

Mr. Amandeep Singh Talwar, Mr. Bomi Patel and Mr. Varun Gupta, Advocates for respondent No.3.

Mr. S.P. Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India with Ms. Gurmeet Kaur Gill, Sr. Panel Counsel for Respondent No.4- Union of India.