K S MATHEW Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner is seeking the following prayers:-

(2.) The undisputed facts giving rise to the present petition are to the effect that the petitioner, who is a pensioner, put in 38 years in the Central Secretariat. The petitioner retired on the 1st February, 1980 while he was holding the post of Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Supplies. As a government servant, the petitioner was entitled to free medical aid under the Central Services Medical Attendance Rules through the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). It is pointed out that the petitioner holds CGHS identity card No.44355 (Ec). Even after retirement, the petitioner is entitled to the benefit of free medical aid under the afore-stated scheme.

(3.) Unfortunately, on 10th October, 2001, the petitioner suffered a severe heart attack when he had to be rushed in a critical condition to the Escort Heart Institute and Research Centre (hereinafter referred to `EHIRC' for brevity) for emergency treatment. The EHIRC is a recognised cardiac institute giving facilities for cardiac treatment by the Central Government Health Scheme. The emergency treatment was provided to the petitioner who had to undergo various tests as Echocardiogram, 2D Echo with Colour Doppler, Angiography etc. and was advised emergency by-pass surgery. This surgery was performed on the petitioner on 12th October, 2001.