New Delhi: The Delhi government has
started posting on its website the daily report carrying
details of patients from economically weaker sections who are
given free beds in private hospitals after orders from the
Central Information Commission in this regard.
The daily report posted on the health department
website carries hospital-wise details of beds allotted to
people from economically weaker sections. It also carries
details of patients who are allotted these beds.
Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi had directed
the Delhi government to start posting such details saying
these are mandatory under the suo moto disclosure clause of
the Right to Information Act.
Gandhi had directed the government "to ensure that the
details of the beneficiaries of the EWS patients in private
hospitals is displayed on the website each day" with details
of name, address and bed number allotted to them.
"This will be displayed on the website of the public
authority every day from October 1 onwards. This is being
ordered in compliance of Section-4 of the RTI Act," he had
said.
Earlier, RTI applicant Dinesh Kaushik had sought to
know from the Delhi government the details of hospitals who
have been given land at subsidised rates on condition of
reserving beds for poor patients.
He also sought information on such patients availing
the facility at Mata Channan Devi Hospital in Janakpuri. The
same was refused on the ground that the patients have raised
objection in making their information public.
"The appellant appears to be guided by general public
interest and a desire to ensure that economic weaker section
citizens get their benefit in private hospitals which are
supposed to keep beds for people from economically weaker
sections. The PIO is directed to provide the information to
the appellant about Mata Channan Devi Hospital, Janakpuri,"
Gandhi had said in the order.
PTI
