Mumbai, July 8 (IANS). The Maharashtra government is taking major steps to modernize the postmortem process in the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told during Question Hour in the Legislative Council that high-tech facilities like ‘non-invasive post-mortem’ (virtual autopsy) technology will be started in Mumbai.
He said the government has taken several steps to ensure that postmortem reports are received on time. This has succeeded in significantly reducing the number of pending reports in the last two-three years. The issue was raised by member Chitra Wagh and members like Satej Patil, Ambadas Danve, Pragya Satav and Neelam Gorhe asked further questions on it.
While explaining the benefits of non-invasive technology, CM Fadnavis said that with this the body can be examined without dissection. This method saves time, requires less people, reduces human errors and even very small changes in the body are detected accurately.
The tender and procurement process for essential machines in JJ and KEM hospitals of Mumbai has been completed.
Currently, 533 postmortem centers are functioning in Maharashtra and till May this year, 10,905 autopsies have been conducted there. In view of the heavy workload at these centres, the Chief Minister promised to review within a stipulated time to overcome the shortage of staff, infrastructure and other resources.
Fadnavis said that earlier it used to take six months to a year to get the postmortem report. But, in the last two-three years, by increasing the speed of work in the Forensic Science Laboratory, the number of pending reports has been reduced from about 3,00,000 to 75,000.
He said that the government aims to bring this pending work to normal level in the next three-four months. For this, highest priority will be given to medico-legal matters and matters related to preserved viscera (organs). While some rural centers receive fewer bodies, centers in accident-prone areas are under greater pressure.
The Chief Minister assured that cold storage facilities are available where needed and a comprehensive audit will be conducted to improve the facilities in all the centres. Fadnavis also gave a strong warning regarding privacy and said that it is legally necessary to maintain confidentiality during the post-mortem process.
He warned that leaking any information before submitting an official report to the police is illegal and strict action will be taken against those who violate these rules.
Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif told the Assembly that action has been taken against the erring employees of the Social Work Department of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals. He said that all concerned officials of the hospital have been given strict instructions to behave sympathetically and politely with the patients and their relatives.
Responding to MLA Vilas Bhumre’s question during Question Hour, Mushrif confirmed that a committee had been formed to investigate complaints against the superintendent in the social work department of JJ Hospital.
On the basis of the investigation report, the Dean of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals has issued a strict warning to the accused employees so that there should be no negligence in work in future.
Additionally, salaries of employees who remain absent without official permission have been deducted (‘no work, no pay’ i.e. no work, no pay). The minister said that following the order of the Medical Education Directorate dated June 26, 2026, the two guilty social work superintendents have been transferred to other places.
He said biometric attendance has been made mandatory for all employees, and secretaries and commissioners have been directed to keep a close watch on the functioning of the system and the performance of officers.
–IANS
ASH/DKP
