Social Responsibility.

"Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has said markups of up to 2,800% on everyday medical consumables used in hospitals 'need to be explained properly'. He has asked the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to examine whether these should be brought under price control." NDTV. "Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya...urged doctors to commit to a 'medical social responsibility (MSR)' once a month, asserting that the medical profession is not merely a business but a responsibility towards society." The Print. What about giving up all the perks worth tens of millions of rupees that MPs and ministers get under a 'Politician Social Responsibility (PSR)'? "A hospital or a doctor cannot ordinarily refuse immediate medical assistance where delay may endanger life. The Supreme Court has treated preservation of human life as a paramount obligation flowing from Article 21 of the Constitution." Law Bhoomi. What about dignity of life, protection from criminals and the right to justice? In December 2017, "The Supreme Court has made a candid admission and said it was 'sorry' for the delay for over a decade in commencement of criminal trial due to two conflicting orders passed by a high court judge in a single day in two different by related cases." The aggrieved victim died during the delay. NDTV. "The Supreme Court has more than 96,000 pending cases, with over 10,000 awaiting disposal for more than a decade," as on 23 July 2026. ET. How many victims are dying miserably waiting for justice? Since lawyers charge per appearance (lawspot.in), it is in their interest to prolong a case as long as possible. Has anyone asked lawyers to charge a fixed amount, however long it takes under a 'Lawyer Social Responsibility'?  On 13 June 1997, 59 people died in a fire at Uphaar Cinema in Delhi. The owners of the hall had made unauthorized modifications, increased the number of seats and blocked fire exits. TOI. The case dragged on for 20 years and the millionaire owners, the Ansal brothers, had their fines reduced in the Supreme Court. Gopal Ansal served just one year in prison and Sushil Ansal was freed because of old age. BBC. Young people were incinerated, the old survived. The dreaded Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 prevents any comment in case it 'Scandalises the Court'. 'Scandalising the Court' broadly refers to statements or publications which have the effect of undermining public confidence in the judiciary." PRS. Officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) get enormous salaries and perks, including free healthcare, worth millions. Anuj Jindal. They also get a Dearness Allowance which has reached 60% of basic salary. CNBCTV18. And yet, they are required to pay just Rs 350 for a medical consultation at a private hospital and the government pays derisory amounts for serious medical procedures, requiring very expensive consumable items, under the Central Government Health Scheme. cghs.mohfw.gov.in. For an extremely hazardous and complicated Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure) (Jason R D'Cruz et al) which takes hours of exhausting surgery, the rate is Rs 24,995, about $260. Since hospitals dare not argue with the government they have to make up their losses from us. Surely, pampered IAS officers earning enormous salaries should pay full fees to the doctors? The FDA Commissioner is right to be concerned about hospital charges. Perhaps he should look at the real gravy train. Scandalizing, isn't it?