Explain delay in construction of JPNAIIMS, HC asks Health Secretar

Patna, Jun 24 (UNI) Patna High Court today directed the Union Health Secretary to file an affidavit, stating the reasons behind the delay in initiating construction works of Jai Prakash Narain All India Institute of Medical Sciences(JPNAIIMS) in Patna.

Hearing a public interest litigation petition filed in this connection, a division bench of the court comprising Jutice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad and Justice Shaileh Kumar Sinha issued the directive to Union Health Secreatry.

The court was dissatisfied with an affidavit filed by the Centre, stating that construction works of the JPNAIIMS would begin from October this year. The Centre had earlier stated before the court that the construction works of the proposed hospital would begin in January 2008.

During his submission before the court, the counsel of the state government alleged that the Centre was meting out step-motherly treatment to Bihar in this regard and hurdles were being created to delay the construction of the prestigious hospital in Patna.

Earlier, the foundation of the JPNAIIMS was laid by the then vice- president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat at Phulwarisharif in Patna in 2004.

The construction works of the hospital was to be completed by the 2007 but seeing no development in this regard till 2006, a public interest litigation petition was filed in Patna High court seeking directive to the Centre to expedite the construction works of the hospital.

UNI XC-KKS SJC DB1941