Goverment officer seeks medical compensation

New Delhi, Aug 31 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the Secretary of Union Government, Director general of Central Government Health Services (CGHS) and Additional director of Central Government Health Scheme to file their replies on the petition of a retired government officer.

The petition is filed by the former officer to reimburse the medical expenses of Rs 3,54,363 incurred by him to undergo a heart operation.

Justice Hima Kohli issued the notices which were accepted by senior counsel for Government of India Virender Sood.

In his petition N R Batra, who retired from the Ministry of Food and Civil Suplies urged the court to get his medical bill reimbursed from the CGHS.

In spite of regularly paying the nominal dues required for retaining the membership of CGHS card, Mr Batra's card was not made by the department as there was no address of the CGHS dispensary in Faridabad (Haryana), his native home.

Mr Batra suffered a chest pain on March 1, 2006 and was admitted in Escorts Heart Institute and Reserch Centre at Okhla where he underwent Coronary Angiography and Coronary Stenting with thrombus.

Mr Batra deposited Rs 18,000 with CGHS as pensioners could opt to pay one time payment to avail the CGHS facilities.

During his illness Mr Batra approached CGHS to take necessary action for reimbursing his medical claim and took necessary ex-post factor approval, if required for his medical claim, but he failed to hear any communication from them.

Mr Batra paid Rs 56,54,363 as medical bill to Escorts hospital on his own which were to be settled by CGHS. Mr Batra approached the department several times but failed to get the reimbursment so far.

CGHS claimed that they had issued the card but Mr Batra denied of receiving it so far.

UNI