State Of Punjab & Ors vs Ram Lubhaya Bagga Etc. Etc on 26 February, 1998
country. The only clog is that the reimbursement would be to the level of expenditure as per rates
which are fixed by the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab for a similar package treatment
or actual expenditure which ever is less. Such rate for a particular treatment will be included in the
advice issued by the District/State Medical Board for fixing this. Under the said policy a Committee
of Technical Experts is constituted by the Director to finalize the rates of various treatment packages
and such rate list shall be made available to the offices of the Civil surgeons of the State. Under this
new policy, it is clear that none has to wait in a queue. One can avail and go to any private hospital
anywhere in India. Hence the objection that, even under the new policy in emergency one has to
wait in a queue as a argued in Surjit Singh case (supra) does not hold good.
In this regard Mr. Sodhi appearing for the State of Punjab has specifically stated that as per the
Director's decision under the new policy, the present rate admissible to any employee is the same as
prevalent in AIIMS. It is also submitted, under the new policy in case of emergency if prior approval
for treatment in the private hospital is not obtained, the ex-post-facto sanction can be obtained later
from the concerned Board or authority for such medical reimbursement. After due consideration we
find these to be reasonable.
Now we revert to the last submission, whether the new State policy is justified in not reimbursing an
employee, his full medical expenses incurred on such treatment, if incurred in any hospital in India
not being a Government hospital in Punjab. Question is whether the new policy which is restricted
by the financial constraints of the State to the rates in AIIMS would be in violation of Article 21 of
the Constitution of India. so far as questioning the validity of governmental policy is concerned in
our view it is not normally within the domain of any court, to weigh the pros and cons of the policy
or to scrutinize it and test the degree of its beneficial or equitable disposition for the purpose of
varying modifying or annulling it, based on however sound and good reasoning, except where it is
arbitrary or violative of any constitutional, statutory or any other provision of law. When
Government forms its policy, it is based on number of circumstances on facts, law including
constraints based on its resources. It is also based on expert opinion. it would be dangerous if court
is asked to test the utility, beneficial effect of the policy or its appraisal based on facts set out on
affidavits. The Court would dissuade itself from entering into this realm which belongs to the
executive. It is within this matrix that it is to be seen whether the new policy violates Article 21
When it restricts reimbursement on account of its financial constraints.
When we speak about a right, it corelates to a duty upon another, individual, employer, government
or authority. In other words, the right of one is an obligation of another. Hence the right of a citizen
to live under Article 21 casts obligation on the State. This obligation is further reinforced under
Article 47, it is for the State to secure health to its citizen as its primary duty. No doubt government
is rendering this obligation by opening Government hospitals and health centers, but in order to
make it meaningful, it has to be within the reach of its people, as far as possible, o reduce the queue
of waiting lists, and it has to provide all facilities for which an employee looks for at another
hospital. Its up-keep; maintenance and cleanliness has to be beyond aspersion. To employ best of
talents and tone up its administration to give effective contribution. Also bring in awareness in
welfare of hospital staff for their dedicated service, give them periodical, medico-ethical and service
oriented training, not only at then try point but also during the whole tenure of their service. Since it
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