PREM CHAND KHUNGAR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner who had undergone heart bye-pass surgery at the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi in May, 1994, has filed the present petition with the prayer that the Respondent-State of Punjab be directed to reimburse the medical expenses incurred by him.

(2.) The State of Punjab contests this claim on the ground that in accordance with the instructions dated January 25, 1991, issued by the Health Department, the employees "who want to get treatment out of the State should seek the permission of the Medical Board or Director, Health Department, Punjab, Chandigarh." It has been further stated that "the petitioner was under medical treatment at Fazilka in 2/94 and operated on 21.5.1994. He had sufficient time to refer (sic) the case for getting the permission of Medical Board through the Department. But he did not do so". Accordingly, the bill submitted by the petitioner for an amount of Rs.1,56,050.00 was returned to him on September 6,1995.

(3.) Counsel for the parties have been heard.