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included many narratives and explanations that are not acceptable to us.

“There are four or five pages of explanations, but no bullet-point responses to the specific questions. It’s vague. We are not satisfied. We have not stepped back from the matter. We are looking into what can be done and will take the necessary action.”

The hospital authorities submitted their reply on Tuesday in response to a show-cause notice issued by the Directorate General of Health Services over the deaths of six newborns, allegedly due to negligence.

The notice sought an explanation as to why the hospital’s licence should not be cancelled after the babies, aged between one and four days, died between 5:00am and 9:00am on May 27.

The incident triggered public outrage and prompted authorities to shut down the post-operative room and form two investigation committees.

A DGHS probe committee found that clear negligence by the hospital authorities, nurses, and staff, as well as the absence of an on-duty physician, was responsible for the deaths.

The health minister disclosed the findings on June 4, the same day the show-cause notice was issued. The initial deadline for a response was 5:00pm on Sunday, but the directorate extended it by 48 hours upon the hospital authorities’ request.

Contacted, DGHS Director General Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas said that although they did not hold a meeting with the minister yesterday, they were also reviewing the reply.

“We will take steps soon, expectedly within tomorrow [today]. We have followed all necessary procedures and will take appropriate action against the hospital.”