India, Aug. 29 -- For the first time in over a decade, the Maharashtra government has approved a steep hike in grants for private organisations managing leprosy hospitals and rehabilitation centres across the state.

As per a government resolution (GR) issued on August 22, the grant for 13 private hospitals treating leprosy has been increased from Rs.2,200 to Rs.6,600 per bed. Similarly, 16 organisations running rehabilitation homes for patients will now receive Rs.6,000 per bed-up from Rs.2,000 earlier. The revised grants will be released on a monthly basis from September 1, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assured.

The decision marks the first revision since 2012, despite years of repeated appeals from voluntary organisations, who argu...