Charity hospitals across Maharashtra are required to implement public dashboards within a month (AI-generated image used for representational purposes)

MUMBAI: Charity hospitals across Maharashtra have been given one month to install public dashboards displaying information on free treatment and reserved beds, as the state government signalled a tougher enforcement regime against institutions accused of failing to meet obligations attached to the public concessions they receive.The warning came in the legislative council on Tuesday after members raised concerns that several hospitals were denying benefits meant for economically weaker patients despite enjoying statutory exemptions and incentives.Minister Shambhuraj Desai said district authorities would begin special inspections from August and hospitals found violating the rules would face action.The inspections, to be led by additional district collectors, will examine whether hospitals have installed the mandatory dashboards, are reserving beds for eligible patients, have implemented government-funded health schemes and are complying with other conditions prescribed under the charity hospital framework.Desai acknowledged that compliance remained uneven, telling the House that enforcement had often been delayed because hospitals obtained interim relief from courts after action was initiated against them.He said all eligible charity hospitals would be required to implement government health insurance schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, and warned that complaints of overcharging would also be pursued.The government, he said, was prepared to appoint special government counsels in cases requiring stronger legal intervention.Minister of state Madhuri Misal said the dashboard requirement would be monitored through the government’s appointed Arogya Doots, who would track whether hospitals were displaying information on free treatment and complying with the rules.The debate also focused on Global Hospital in Parel, with MLC Anil Parab alleging that the hospital had failed to provide a single bed to government-referred patients over the past 15 years despite receiving additional Floor Space Index (FSI) benefits during its development.Under Maharashtra’s charity hospital rules, institutions that avail themselves of specified government concessions are required to reserve 15% of their beds for poor patients.Misal said proceedings against the hospital were currently before the court, with the next hearing scheduled for 21 July. Notices proposing cancellation of its nursing registration and occupancy certificate had been issued, but further action was stayed by the court.The government would decide on initiating the process to withdraw the additional FSI granted to the hospital after the court proceedings and consultations with the concerned departments.