Parliament Question: Violation of free-care obligations by private hospitals

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3621 TOBE ANSWERED ON 24TH MARCH, 2026 VIOLATIONOFFREE-CARE OBLIGATIONSBYPRIVATE HOSPITALS 3621SMT.JEBI MATHER HISHAM: Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate: (a) whether Government has taken note of complaints regarding non-compliance by certain private hospitals in providing mandatory free treatment to EWS/BPLpatients, the details and actiontakenthereon; (b) the number of hospitals found violating free-care obligations during the last five years State/UT-wise; (c) whether hospitals allotted Government land subsidies or tax concessions have fulfilled lease-based free-treatment conditions, the detailsof violationsdetected; (d) the details of penalties, fines or regulatory actions initiated against defaulting hospitals during the last five years, hospital-wise; and (e) whether any land concessions or financial benefits have been withdrawn or recovered from non-compliantinstitutions, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (e): ‘Health’ being a State subject, the primary responsibility to take note of non- compliance of applicable Government norms by hospitals and to take action against defaulting hospitals lies with the respective States/UTs. Data and details, in this regard, are not maintained centrally. Further, Income Tax (IT) exemptions are admissible to hospitals subject to fulfilment of certain conditions as per various provisions of the IT Act, 1961. In case the conditions for availing exemptions under the IT Act are not fulfilled, such exemptionsare withdrawn asperrelevant provisions of the Act. *****