Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 12

Two days after The Tribune did a sting operation on overcharging by private labs and hospitals for conducting RT-PCR tests, the district administration on Wednesday recommended the Commissioner of Police to register an FIR under the Epidemic Diseases Act against a private lab for overcharging. In the inquiry report submitted by the Civil Surgeon, the lab was found guilty.

A private hospital had also “erroneously” overcharged Rs 150-450 from over 90 patients for the RT-PCR test. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshayam Thori directed the hospital to refund the excess money to all the patients.

In addition, the hospital management has also assured the district administration of strictly adhering to the guidelines fixed by the state government with regard to fee being charged for various services.

In its probe, the administration found that Tagore Hospital had charged Rs 900 for Covid-19 tests whereas the state government has fixed Rs 450 for the same. The DC had marked an inquiry to Public Grievance Officer (PGO) Randeep Singh Gill, who summoned the management for further probe.

“Over 90 patients were overcharged for the test, who will receive a refund. The administration has also asked the hospital management to display government rates for RT-PCR tests and other Covid-19 related services so that people are aware about the government rates,” the DC added.

In another case, the administration has written to the police for legal action against Atulya Labs, which prima facie was found to be overcharging for RT-PCR tests. The PGO said some other discrepancies were noted like no separate room for vaccination and lack of biomedical waste disposal mechanism. The DC said keeping in view the second instance of overcharging, the administration would seek cancellation of the lab’s franchise.