The Bombay High Court, in a response to a PIL, in April this year had directed the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to take steps to ensure that the construction of its hospital building, which is undergoing renovation, in Andheri East was completed and possession was obtained on or before August 15, and that the corporation should endeavour to make the facility operational on or before January 31. However, the work has not been completed.

Congress leader Rajesh Sharma, who had filed the PIL, claimed, “Not a single bed has been put up. Despite court orders, there are no signs of handing over the hospital to the administration. When will the hospital authorities set up the equipment? Lakhs of employees are being deprived of modern healthcare facilities due to these repetitive delays.”