India, Dec. 22 -- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has lambasted the state government in its audit of the public health infrastructure and management of health services in Maharashtra. Tabled in the state legislature on Saturday, the report draws attention to the government's several failures, including the paucity of doctors and paramedical manpower and the inadequate supply of medicines. It also speaks of the need to enact the Clinical Establishment Act.

The CAG found a dire shortage of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff (27%, 35% and 31% respectively) in the facilities governed by the public health and medical education department. The report says the public health infrastructure is overburdened due to a shortage of health...