Diagnostic centres: HC seeks govt reply

PATNA: A division bench of acting chief justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari and Justice Chakradhari Saran Singh of Patna high court on Wednesday directed the principle secretary of health department to file a reply by January 18 in a PIL seeking closure of unauthorized and unrecognized diagnostic centres in the state. The PIL has been filed by Manish Kumar.
The petitioner alleged the reports of unauthorized diagnostic centres were not correct, leading to wrong diagnosis by doctors.He stated at least two dozen unauthorized diagnostic centres were sealed in Purnia district last year. In 2011, over a dozen fake doctors were arrested and their pathological test laboratories and physiotherapy centres were sealed in the state after they were found running on the basis of fake documents. In the last one year, the government has sealed 150 unauthorized ultrasound centres in the state.
Court directive on height of roads: A division bench of Justice Ansari and Justice Singh on Wednesday directed the road construction department officials to file their reply by January 11 in a PIL related to raising the height of roads above the permissible level in Bhagalpur.
Petitioner Rajesh Chandra Jha alleged that the height of road between Tilka Manjhi Chowk to Bhagalpur Airport and from Patel Chowk to Bhagalpur station is higher than the permissible level. As a result, immense inconvenience is caused to house owners along the two roads. Roadside shops and houses get waterlogged even on light rain. No drainage system has been arranged despite the court's order.
The bench, on September 19, 2015, had observed that an appropriate method shall be adopted to ensure that rainwater did not enter the houses of the area. The scientific methods used for the purpose would include adequate drainage system.
Trial of elected representatives: A division bench of Justice Ansari and Justice Singh on Wednesday directed a petitioner to make Bihar State Law Commission a party to the PIL seeking early completion of trial in cases related to disqualification of elected representative of gram panchayats and ward councillors in cases of corruption and other serious crimes. Petitioner Dinesh Kumar Khoorpiwala referred to the Supreme Court's order that trial proceedings in cases of corruption and serious crimes against elected representatives must be completed within a year.