India, Nov. 6 -- The Maharashtra government's decision to purchase smoke detectors for three public hospitals in the state worth nearly Rs.80 crore has not gone down well with activists, who allege that the total cost is nearly 20 to 30 times the actual cost which should not have been more than Rs.4 crore.

The medical education and drug department (MEDD) approved a proposal worth nearly Rs.80 crore to purchase smoke detector systems for these hospitals. The state government on Tuesday issued a government resolution (GR) giving administrative approval to purchase 839 Detex smoke detectors for Sassoon General Hospital, Pune; Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sarvopachar Rugnalaya (Civil Hospital), Solapur; and Cama and Albless Hospital, Mum...