HC unhappy over mental health facility

 
The HC on April 12, 2009 had directed the Department to furnish an Action Taken Report, suo motu.

In response, the Department had submitted that out of the 30 district hospitals, 27 hospitals were equipped with psychiatric units. Among these, Bangalore rural did not have a hospital with the facility, but four hospitals in Bangalore city namely Nimhans, Victoria, K C General and Central Prison had psychiatric wards. In addition, two units had also been set up at Hubli-Dharwad.

The report also submitted that the Department was trying to fill up all the vacancies. Each hospital was also given Rs one lakh for providing mental health services every year.

Dissatisfied, the Court termed it vague and non-compliant. The Department has now been given time till June 1,  to comply with the earlier order of the Court.

Contempt notices

The HC has issued contempt notices to Urban Development Secretary Shambhu Dayal Meena and the then Principal Secretary, Home, Abhijit Dasgupta. Dasgupta is presently the Development Commissioner.

A contempt petition was filed by B K Bhaskar Rai, who was part of the Special Task Force, during the operations for nabbing the forest brigand Veerappan. After the operations, Bhaskar along with the cash and Chief Minister’s medal awarded to the entire task force, was promised a housing plot in his hometown, but it was never given. On July 21, 2009, the HC had directed the departments to consider his representation within six months.

But, the HC ruling was never implemented. The court directed them to appear before the Court on April 20.