Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court reprimanded Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday for showing lack of concern for welfare of citizens, especially medical emergencies, when the poll code of conduct is in force.
The High Court’s criticism came during the hearing of a PIL filed by CH Sharma and others about lack of basic facilities at Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals in Vidarbha.
Government-appointed special counsel, Firdos Mirza, cited ECI Secretary’s May 7 communication that despite HC’s directives for procurement of medicines, medical equipment, and construction of waiting halls at government-run hospitals, ECI preferred to defer the proposal until the completion of Lok Sabha polls.
“This is a very disturbing situation which indicates that the ECI was not concerned about the wellbeing of citizens — specifically in the medical field where emergencies arise day in and day out. The ECI, therefore, be added as party respondent to this PIL,” a bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri said.
