The Hindu Business Line : Maharashtra `involvement' has charitable trusts worried

AoH has written to the Chief Minister, urging the Government not to rush into implementing the recommendation, lest it drove away philanthropic donors.

Mumbai , June 9

`DON'T fix it, if it ain't broken' - is what the Association of Hospitals (AoH) is telling the Maharashtra Government, following a recent recommendation by the Maharashtra Law Commission to get "more involved" in the operational issues of institutions run by charitable trusts.

"We are unclear about the actual intent of the recommendation, since it is sweeping and covers charitable institutions, whether they are hospitals, educational or religious institutions. However, we have sought an audience with the State Chief Minister to urge him not to rush into implementing the recommendation," Mr M.L. Bhakta, President of AoH, told Business Line.

The Maharashtra Law Commission report has recommended, among other things, the appointment of an executive officer on "important and wealthy trusts whose annual income is above Rs 5 lakh... " The ostensible reason is that the existing laws are not sufficient to prevent "mismanagement and irregularities."

AoH, a platform for non-profit charitable hospitals, has written to the Chief Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde, urging the Government not to rush into implementing the recommendation, lest it drove away philanthropic donors.

"The recommendation appears to be innocent, but a careful study shows that the move is motivated by the idea to empower the Government to acquire indirect control over public charitable trusts in the State," the AoH said.

The association also expressed concern over the fact that the Government appointee would have "wide and unbridled powers."

"The State of Maharashtra has hundreds of public trusts, which run educational institutions like schools, colleges or medical institutions like hospitals, some of which are attached to medical colleges.

"The State also has a number of public religious trusts in charge of very wealthy temples like Shri Shridi Sansthan and Shri Siddhivinayak Temple," the association pointed out.

Brig. Joe Curian, AoH's spokesperson said, "We are trying to find out why the Government thinks it necessary to have a nominee on the board of trust-run institutions. It cannot be one sweeping rule.

If the Government has given charitable hospitals land at a subsidised rate, then they have also got the hospitals to commit towards treating people in the lower economical strata."

Maharashtra has over three lakh charitable trusts. The existing system of inspection by a Charity Commissioner and other periodical checks are in place to ensure genuine philanthropy.

So if there is mismanagement, it is these safety catches that should be put under the scanner, said Brig. Curian.

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