HC summons High officials on facilities in hospital, monkey menace

New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) Peeved by the state of affairs in government-run hospitals, monkey menace and stray cattle on roads in the Capital, the Delhi High Court today summoned high officials of health departments and civic bodies to be present on January 10 next year, to take stock of the situation.

A division bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar asked Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry, Delhi Principal Health Secretary, Delhi Director Health Services and Medical Superintendents of Rammanohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, GTB Hospital and LNJP Hospital to be present with information and requirements to improve the facilities.

The Judges said the officials should come prepared with the data and information to apprise the court on the steps initiated to improve the conditions in these hospitals for the betterment of the common people.

While dealing with other petitions on monkey menace, stray cattle and dogs, the court asked, ''If the civic authorities could not get rid of these animals, what would they do.'' The Court summoned a Secretary-level officer of Delhi Government, Chief Wildlife Warden, Delhi, Commissioner MCD, Chairperson NDMC and Vice Chairman DDA to be present in the court to explain steps to tackle the problems faced by the public.

Counsel Raj Punjwani appearing for the authorities submitted that the department required more monkey catchers and shelters to relocate the wild monkeys.

''There is one monkey shelter having capacity to keep 250 monkeys and the shelter refused to accept more monkeys,'' said Mr Punjwani.

The Court asked Counsel Meera Bhatia, who appeared for the petitioners, to make surprise visits to the hospitals in the intervening period to file a status report.

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