Chandigarh. The incident of power outage once again in Punjab’s leading Rajindra Hospital, Patiala has exposed the state’s health services. Taking a tough stand on this serious matter, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has given instructions to the Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government and the Managing Director of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.
The High Court has directed to file an affidavit and clarify why the power was missing for about 30 minutes in the operation theater and maternity ward on April 15, 2025, and also whether there is a system of automatic switchover in the hospital or not. If not, why has it not been installed till now.
This matter has come to light under a PIL filed by advocate Sunena. The petition states that even before this, on February 4, 2025, there was a power outage in Rajindra Hospital for 10 to 15 minutes, due to which patients and staff had to face a lot of trouble.
The court was also reminded that on 25 February 2025, the Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government had filed an affidavit promising that by 1 March 2025, the arrangement of DG sets and auto switchover system would be completed in all the blocks and wards of the hospital.
Attempt to avoid it by calling it routine maintenance
When the division bench headed by the Chief Justice questioned the lawyers of the government and PSPCL about the incident this time, they tried to avoid it by calling it ‘routine maintenance’, but could not explain why the backup supply was not started during this time.
Petitioner advocate Sunena told the court that she had applied under the Right to Information to know the status of auto switchover in the hospital, but she has not received any answer till now.
A video that went viral in the background of the case was also brought before the court, in which a doctor is seen expressing concern about frequent tripping of electricity and the safety of patients. This video is proof that serious negligence is being committed regarding the power supply in the hospital. The petition has demanded that uninterrupted power supply be ensured not only in Rajindra Hospital, but also in all government and semi-government hospitals in Punjab, especially in sensitive areas like operation theatres and emergency wards. Also, disciplinary action has also been demanded against the responsible officers. The High Court sought a reply from the Punjab government Earlier on March 1, 2025, while disposing of the petition, the court had taken on record the affidavit of the Punjab government, which stated that after a meeting with the Medical Education Minister and Secretary on January 25, 2025, the tender process for the repair and maintenance of DG sets of Rajindra Hospital was completed. The government had also assured that all the necessary arrangements would be completed by March 1, 2025. Now that the incident of power outage has come to light again on April 15, Sunena has again raised the matter by filing an application. Taking this seriously, the High Court has sought a reply from the state government
