On the last date of hearing, this Court had directed this matter to be listed on 18.08.2025, this Court had directed this matter to be listed on 18.09.2025, but the same been preponed and directed to be listed today as a news report has been published in Hindi Daily, namely Dainik Bhaskar, today with a heading

The aforesaid news report goes to state that in order to modernize the medical facilities in the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur (for short, the CIMS), the State Government has approved the purchase of machines at a cost of Rs. 15 crores but despite four months having passed since the approval, not a single machine has reached the Institute. In such a situation, the Doctors have to manage with the help of old equipment. With the aim of strengthening medical services and speeding up the tests / examination process of patients, CIMS management had sent two separate proposals of Rs. 15 crore rupees to the Government. One of these proposals was of Rs. 10 crores and the other was of Rs. 5 crores. Even after getting the approval from the Government, the supply of machines has not started yet. Meanwhile, keeping in view the need, CIMS has purchased some machines including Sonography, Dialysis at a cost of Rs. 66 lakh from SECL's CSR fund and other sources. But this number is very less as compared to the requirement. Doctors say that with the availability of new machines, it will be possible to examine more patients in less time and the quality of treatment will also improve.

The version of Dr. Lakhan Singh, Medical Superintendent, CIMS has also been published who states that equipment/machines have been procured from SECL's CSR fund and other sources so that patients can be treated. The process of supplying machines has to be done at the Government level.

The supply of equipment/machines have to be done at the Government level for the major Departments of CIMS. These include microbiology, pediatrics, surgery, dental, ENT, TB-Chest, ophthalmology, biochemistry, orthopedics, dermatology and anesthesiology Departments. A list of special technical equipment has been prepared for each Department, which will upgrade the facilities of medical system of CIMS. The management states that the entire process of supply of machines has to be done at the Government level and efforts have been made from their end to install the equipment in the institute as soon as possible.

From the above news report, it transpires that despite availability of sufÏcient fund, the machines / equipment are not being made available to the CIMS which is causing hardships not only to the patients but also to the Doctors, which could have saved their precious time and energy and more number of patients could have been treated.

Mr. Y.S.Thakur, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the State/respondents No. 1 to 8 as well as Mr. Anuroop Panda, learned counsel for the CGMSCL/respondent No. 9 submits that they may be granted some time to seek instructions in the matter and file appropriate reply.

Let the Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Chhattisgarh as well as the Managing Director, CGMSCL, file their respective personal afÏdavits with respect to the above news report before the next date of hearing and the matter be listed on 18.09.2025, for further monitoring, as ordered on 18.08.2025.