HC Pulls Up Health Secretary Sudha Devi for “Vanishing Act” Amid ₹55 Cr HimCare Dues
Shimla, April 11
In a sharp rap on the knuckles, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday came down heavily on Health Secretary Sudha Devi for proceeding on leave just as a crucial hearing on pending HimCare claims—worth over ₹55 crore—came up for consideration.
Hearing the petition before the bench of Justice Jyotsna Rewa Dua, the court did not mince words, questioning the timing of the bureaucrat’s leave from April 11 to April 18 when the matter demanded urgent administrative attention.
The case revolves around long-pending payments under the HimCare scheme, with petitioners seeking immediate clearance of dues that hospitals say are choking healthcare delivery across the state.
The court’s message was blunt: accountability cannot go on vacation.
Pulling up the Health Secretary for what was seen as a casual approach to a serious public welfare issue, the bench directed the government to place complete data on all pending HimCare bills on record. It also ordered that relevant files and decision-making records be produced before the court.
More significantly, the court has mandated the personal presence of Sudha Devi at the next hearing, making it clear that bureaucratic absence will not be tolerated in matters involving public health and financial liabilities.
The matter has now been posted for April 28.
Sudha Devi, already under the scanner for her controversial role in transfer postings and administrative decisions—issues that have echoed even in the Vidhan Sabha—now finds herself facing judicial heat as well.
With ₹55 crore stuck and healthcare providers waiting, the High Court’s tough stance signals that delays, defiance, or indifference in welfare schemes like HimCare will invite strict scrutiny.
The ball, as the court made clear, is now firmly in the Health Secretary’s court.
#HimCareCrisis #HCStrictOnBureaucracy #SudhaDeviRow #HealthcareDelay #ShimlaNews