HC directs State Govt to fund Pune leprosy hospital

Mumbai, Mar 27 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today directed the State Government to provide funds to the tune of Rs 30 lakh to the Pune-based Dr Bandarwalla leprosy hospital.

The Pune-based Dagdu Sheth Halwai Trust had donated a sum of Rs 10 lakh to the hospital and the Leprsoy Act of 1995 required that the State Government should contribute three times that amount.

A division bench, comprising justices B H Marlapalle and D B Bhonsale, while directing the State Government to provide the hospital with funds, also asked the hospital to fill up the staff vacancies.

The hospital has a current staff strength of 25 which has to be enhanced to 71 within three months, the High Court has directed.

While filling up the vacancies, preference should be given to leprosy patients, the court has directed. The court also directed the hospital to appoint one full-time social worker.

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