The Delhi High Court today sought the Centre's response on whether guidelines can be framed directing corporates to donate a portion of their profits towards social welfare, including healthcare of needy and terminally-ill patients.
Justice Manmohan issued notice to the Centre after it was submitted that under the Companies Act 2013, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has inserted the provision of corporate social responsibility making it obligatory for firms to contribute two per cent of profits towards public welfare.
The provision was brought to the notice of the court by senior advocate Harish Salve who was present during the hearing of a plea seeking AIIMS to provide free treatment to a rickshawpuller's seven-year-old son who is suffering from life-threatening Gaucher's disease, a genetic disorder.
Meanwhile, Medanta Medicity hospital volunteered to take care of the boy's lifelong medical treatment by way of Enzyme Replacement Therapy, each round of which costs over Rs six lakh.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Delhi High Court Bar President A S Chandiok has collected around Rs seven lakh through his personal efforts.
The court had earlier this month asked the Bar to do its bit to help the child, on the plea filed through advocate Ashok Aggarwal.
The father of the ailing child has already lost four children to Gaucher's disease which causes fat to accumulate in cells and certain organs and is characterised by bruising, fatigue, anaemia, low blood platelets and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences had informed the court that it does not have any provision for free treatment of poor patients suffering from life-threatening Gaucher's disease, as it is "exorbitantly expensive and lifelong".
