Justice K Chandru made the observation while passing orders on a petition filed by a Tasmac employee who suffered renal failure. Though he needed at least 5 lakh for a kidney transplant, Tasmac quoted rules and said he could claim a maximum of only 1 lakh as reimbursement, or else he should go to a government hospital for a free treatment.

Rejecting the submissions, Justice Chandru said: "The ceiling fixed by Tasmac that the employee can get only 1 lakh is unrealistic. It goes without saying that the renal surgery procedure costs much more. Tasmac is responsible for selling liquor to the citizens, which indirectly may cause both liver and renal failure. It is for Tasmac to provide funds for their own employees. They cannot plead resource crunch or hide themselves behind rules."

A Balamurugan suffered kidney failure and doctors said he needed to undergo renal transplantation, which would cost around 5 lakh. K Balu, counsel for Balamurugan, submitted that his monthly salary was just 5,000 and he paid 80 a month to become a member of the state government-stipulated health fund.

In its reply, Tasmac submitted that Balamurugan could have availed himself of renal transplantation in a government hospital without paying any fee. Or else, he could take treatment in a private hospital and claim reimbursement of his medical expenses to the extent of 1 lakh.

Rejecting the contention that the employee should take free treatment in a government hospital, Justice Chandru said it is not for Tasmac to suggest as to which hospital he should approach for treatment.

The judge then directed Tasmac to give a letter to Shri Ramachandra Medical Centre, where Balamurugan wanted to go for treatment, authorizing him to undergo renal transplantation and giving an undertaking that the entire expenses would be reimbursed subject to the scrutiny of bills.

...