Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar hospital receives notice of Rs 100 crore for norms violation
A charitable hospital, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre, established by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in the memory of her father was served with a Rs100 crore notice by Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram on March 11 for alleged violation of government norms, Indian media said.
Ram said the notice was issued after ascertaining a complaint that the hospital was not providing medical services at charitable rates.
The hospital, headed by Director Dr Dhananjay Kelkar and administrator Shrish Yadkikar, confirmed that it had received the notice. In spite of repeated attempts, Kelkar could not be reached for comments.
“We did get a notice from the collector but all the allegations are false. We have not violated any rules so far. This is the first time ever that we have received a notice. We will reply to the notice soon,” the hospital’s spokesperson said.
‘Breach of trust’
According to Pune district collector, as per the complaint filed by advocate Ramesh Dharmawat of People’s Union Party, the Maharashtra government had leased out 24,000 square metres of land to the hospital for 99 years at the rate of Rs1 per year. This was in the year 2000 under an agreement that the hospital would provide medical services at charitable rates.
However, as per the complaint from Dharmawat, it was found that the out-patient department charges “which should be Rs 20 was Rs 600 per visit, which is a violation of the norms and a breach of trust,” Ram said. He said the hospital was expected to reply to the March 11 notice in seven days.
“In the notice we have stated that they return the public money worth Rs 100 crore which should be transferred to the state government’s account,” the district collector said.
The 800-bed Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre is a charitable, multispecialty hospital established in 2001 by the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in the memory of her father.
The hospital was among the first to introduce an emergency medical services system in Pune. It provides treatment in various specialities and also runs various patient support groups.
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