In a plea filed by Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangthan and others, Madhya Pradesh high court headed by the bench of Chief Justice Mohd. Rafiq and Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla ordered the government to provide free treatment to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy who are suffering from cancer in AIIMS Bhopal.
The committee which is chaired by the Retired judge, Justice Vive Agarwal submitted its 17th report on 16/08/21. It highlighted the problems faced by the cancer patients affected by the gas tragedy and how they are being referred to private hospitals for their treatment and their inability to afford the treatment. The report also suggests the lack of proper facilities and staff will worsen the situation in providing free treatment. Further, it was being said that the state government should ensure that the cancer patients affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy will not be denied free treatment in any case. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Union of India submits that the advertisement for recruitment on various posts of medical staff has already been issued. The paramedical staff is also being hired to outsource the service. Further, it was submitted that approval for procurement of six dialysis machines had been granted. He shall also file an action report pursuant to the decisions taken in the last meeting convened by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Madhya Pradesh on 17.06.2021. Mr. Naman Nagrath, learned Senior Counsel and Mr. Piyush Jain, learned counsel appearing for the Monitoring Committee pray for time to file a response to the action taken report filed by the State Government and the one to be filed by the Union Government.
