(a) whether the Supreme Court has directed to carry out a survey of medical asylums to ensure none of the patients was chained;
(b) if so, the action taken in this regard; and
(c) the action proposed to set up at least one Central Government run Mental Hospital in each State and Union Territory in a time bound measure?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a)&(b): In its order dated 5.2.2002, the Hon`ble Supreme Court directed all States and Union
Territories to carry out district-wise survey of all mental asylums and submit a compliance
report to the effect that no mentally challenged person is chained in any part of the State.
Action in this regard is being taken by the concerned States/Union Territory Governments.
(c): The present policy of the Government is to strengthen the infrastructural facilities and
services in the existing mental hospital/institutions in order to maximize the benefits to the
mentally ill persons, rather than creating new infrastructure, at this stage.