Tripura State Mental Health Authority has issued show-cause notices to 18 unregistered rehabilitation centres and mental health institutions, directing them to explain within seven days. The action aims to enforce the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and protect patient rights, safety and dignity.
The Tripura State Mental Health Authority has taken decisive action against private rehabilitation centres and mental health institutions allegedly operating without valid registration under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. The Authority has issued show-cause notices to 18 institutions across different districts of the state, directing them to explain within seven days why legal and administrative action should not be initiated against them.
The notices were served on September 9 as part of an enforcement drive aimed at ensuring that mental health establishments comply with the provisions of the national legislation and maintain prescribed standards of care. The Authority has warned that institutions failing to provide satisfactory explanations or refusing to cooperate with the inquiry could face unilateral punitive measures under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Section 65(1) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, requires every mental health establishment to obtain registration from the competent authority before beginning or continuing operations. The registration process is intended to ensure that such establishments meet essential standards related to patient safety, food quality, accommodation, room dimensions, accessibility for persons with disabilities, biomedical safety and other healthcare requirements.
The institutions named in the notices include Jiban Jagrati Foundation in Santirbazar, Holy Foundation in Jirania, Rupayan Foundation in Dashamighat, James Foundation in Jampuijala, Relieve Foundation on Bypass Road, Hill Foundation in Bachaibari, Saksham Rehabilitation Center in Khumulwng and Deep Foundation in Kanchanpur.
Other establishments served notices are Bethesda Rehab Facility in Nandannagar, Welfare Society Muchang in Kamalpur, Serene and Sober Foundation in Shalgara, Relieve Foundation at the Sepahijala SPO Office, Radhya Foundation in Barjala, Rejuvenation Foundation in Teliamura, Yapiri Katal Foundation in Gabardi, Revival Foundation in Tulashikhar, TSB Counseling Center in Takarjala and Edensend Foundation in Bishramganj.
According to the Authority, the registration status of rehabilitation centres varies considerably across Tripura. West Tripura has 20 centres, of which 12 have submitted applications for registration. North Tripura has three centres, with two applications submitted, while Dhalai has four centres and two applications. Khowai has seven centres, four of which have applied.
In Unakoti district, all three reported rehabilitation centres have submitted registration applications. Gomati has two centres, with one application submitted, while the single centre in South Tripura has also applied. Sepahijala has three centres, of which two have submitted applications.
The Authority has indicated that several institutions began the registration process after receiving the show-cause notices. The development is being viewed as an indication that the enforcement action is encouraging establishments to come within the statutory framework.
Officials have stressed that rehabilitation centres dealing with persons requiring mental healthcare must function in accordance with the law and maintain conditions that uphold humane treatment, dignity, safety and proper care. Operating without registration and failing to meet prescribed standards can potentially expose vulnerable patients to unsafe or inadequate conditions.
The latest action is therefore being seen as an important step towards strengthening accountability in Tripura’s mental healthcare sector. The Authority has made it clear that institutions that fail to respond within the stipulated seven-day period or do not satisfy the requirements of the Mental Healthcare Act may face further legal and administrative proceedings.
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The crackdown is expected to reinforce regulatory oversight of rehabilitation facilities across the state and encourage greater compliance with national mental healthcare standards, with patient rights and wellbeing remaining at the centre of the enforcement process.
