Title : Increase in the user charges at AIIMS.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Sir, the issue of increase in user charges for patients in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was discussed on the floor of the House under a Calling Attention notice. The hon. Health Minister while replying to the debate assured us that the poor patients would continue to receive treatment free of cost or at a concessional rate in AIIMS.
What is happening there today? What is the experience of the last three months, that is, since the user charges have been abnormally increased? There is 100 per cent, 200 per cent, 300 per cent and even 500 per cent increase in some cases. The poor patients come to AIIMS for treatment, and they are being charged 100 per cent more than what they used to pay before the user charges were increased.
What is the argument given by the Government? They say that the Government wants to earn money, and spend that money for improvement of the AIIMS. What is the earning made by them, in one month, after increasing the user charges? It is only Rs. 3 lakh[rpm20] .
Sir, the budget of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences is Rs. 360 crore. The Government is providing Rs. 360 crore to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. By increasing the user charges, the earning will be only Rs. 60 lakh. Why can the Government not provide one crore of rupees more so that the poor patients would continue to get treatment there at a concessional rate? I demand that the Government should put on hold any increase that has been done or materialised. All India Institute of Medical Sciences is known to serve the poor patients. They come from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and from other States, and they are being harassed.
I urge upon the Government that the increase in the users charges should be kept in abeyance, and the patients should get the treatment at a concessional rate or lower rate. They should continue to get such treatment from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at lower charges.
सभापति महोदय : श्री प्रबोध पांडा।
…( व्यवधान)
प्रो. राम गोपाल यादव (सम्भल) : महोदय, मैं एक बात कहना चाहता हूं…( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय : श्री प्रबोध पाण्डा ने भी इसी विषय पर नोटिस दिया हुआ है।
…( व्यवधान)
प्रो. राम गोपाल यादव : महोदय, मैं भी इसी विषय पर एक बात कहना चाहता हूं…( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय : ठीक है।
प्रो. राम गोपाल यादव : महोदय, यह मामला जब कॉलिंग अटेंशन में उठाया गया था तो मंत्री महोदय ने उस पर एकदम गलत बयान दिया था। मैंने उसके खिलाफ प्रीवलिज मोशन दिया हुआ है।
महोदय, जिस इलाज पर जीरो पैसा नहीं लगता था, अब उस पर पांच हजार रूपये तक लगने लगे हैं। सौ प्रतिशत गलती बयानी यहां पर मंत्री जी ने की थी। मैं सरकार से फिर कहना चाहता हूं कि इसे कम करे। जब स्पीकर साहब आ जाएंगे तो मैं उनसे अपने ब्रीच आफ प्रीवलिज मोशन के बारे पूछूंगा कि मेरे उस मोशन का क्या हुआ, जो मैंने स्वास्थ्य मंत्री के खिलाफ दिया था।
सभापति महोदय : श्री प्रबोध पाण्डा।
SHRI PRABODH PANDA (MIDNAPORE): I associate myself with the hon. Member, Shri Basu Deb Acharia. I want to add two more points.
So far as the utilisation of fund is concerned, the most reputed institution, like the AIIMS, is hundred per cent funded by the Union Government. So far as I know, Rs. 40 crore has been allocated in the budget outlay in the year 2005-06, but the Institute could not utilise that money. Apart from that, they are charging user charges, which is totally unfair and should be withdrawn.
Another point is about the administrative affairs in AIIMS itself. The regulations concerning AIIMS make it clear that in no case a person beyond the superannuation age can be appointed there. All these three points should be looked into.
I urge upon the Government to take the matter seriously. AIIMS is not an ordinary hospital, it is the most reputed hospital in our country. The administrative affairs, the fund utilisation and the harassment of patients are the three issues which should be looked into. I think, the Government will ponder over these things.… (Interruptions)
श्री राम कृपाल यादव (पटना) : महोदय, हम श्री बासुदेव आचार्य द्वारा उठाए गए मुद्दे से अपने को संबंद्ध करते हैं क्योंकि यह बहुत महत्वपूर्ण मामला है।
सभापति महोदय : आपको संबद्ध कर लिया गया है, क्योंकि यह बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण मामला है।
…( व्यवधान)
सभापति महोदय : श्री देवेन्द्र प्रसाद यादव।