Ficci for release of AMRI directors not handling day-to-day operations:

Nearly a month after directors of AMRI Dhakuria Hospital were arrested in connection with the devastating fire, the industry body FICCI has urged the West Bengal government to see to it that jailed directors who are not involved in its day-to-day operations are released.

“Those...not responsible for day-to-day operations of any business should be released immediately,” the Apex chamber said in a statement here.
The West Bengal government had arrested seven AMRI directors, also promoters of Emami and Sharchi Groups, following the inferno on December 9, which claimed at least 92 lives.
In its first response after the inferno devoured mostly patients and few employees of AMRI Dhakuria, the industry body also said, “This is only fair and will also prevent the spread of any negative sentiments within the domestic investor community.”
FICCI in the statement asserted its belief that those found to be guilty after such an inquiry should be punished “without any discrimination or favour” as such a step will act a “necessary deterrent against any future negligence or malafide action.”
FICCI also opined for making a distinction in dealing with “errors of omissions and intentional acts of commission during investigation.”
Six AMRI directors, who were arrested and charged with culpable homicide, are currently lodged in Alipore Jail. The six are R.S. Goenka, Prashant Goenka, Manish Goenka, S.K. Todi, Ravi Todi and Dayanand Agarwal.
The seventh arrested director, R.S. Agarwal, is in SSKM hospital, here and also in judicial custody.

 

KOLKATA: In a significant development, Ficci- one of the leading apex industry bodies - has appealed to the state government to release those of AMRI directors who were not involved in the day-to-day operations. Ficci also held that such step would help prevent spreading negative sentiments among investors. This is the first time after the AMRI incident that a leading industry body has openly expressed concern about 'investor sentiment' following arrest of six AMRI non executive directors still in judicial           custody.

The apex industry body in its communique has no defence for those found guilty in the daily running of the hospital. At the same time it wants the government to see that there is 'no overt or covert victimization' of the directors. Any action should be followed after due process of law to avoid victimization, the FICCI held.

 On December 9, following a fire at AMRI Hospitals at Dhakuria, 93 people were killed. "We believe that those found guilty after probe should be punished without any discrimination or favour. At the same time, those who are not found guilty and are not responsible for the day-to-day operations of any business should be released immediately. This is only fair and will also prevent the spread of any negative sentiments within the domestic investor community and encourage future philanthropic activities under which more hospitals can be established," the communique says.

"It is important to fix the responsibility of those directly involved in managing the hospital and distinguish them from others. This should be undertaken transparently and objectively," it added. The apex industry body believes that a judicious, non-discriminatory and objective handling of the AMRI case will go a long way in restoring the investors' confidence and allow Ficci to play its due role in Bengal.

"The enormity of the tragedy has increased many fold by its occurrence in a hospital which is universally perceived as providing relief and succour to those who seek shelter in it. We in Ficci want to strongly emphasize that all necessary steps, both by the regulatory authorities and by the hospital operators must be taken forthwith to prevent any such incidents in future. Such a step will act as a necessary deterrent against any future negligence or mala fide actions," it added.

 

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