Amid reports of steep rates being charged for providing ambulance services to Covid patients, Delhi Chief Minister announced today that his government is capping maximum prices that private ambulance services can levy. The chief minister underscored that strict action will follow against the violators.
"It has come to our notice that private ambulance services in Delhi are charging illegitimately. To avoid this practise, Delhi govt has capped maximum prices that private ambulance services can charge. Strict actions will be taken against those who violate the order," tweeted Mr Kejriwal, attaching the Delhi government order that had the detailed rates as well.
According to new rules, the maximum rate for Private PTA (Patient Transport Ambulance) has been capped at Rs 1,500 per call up to 10 km and Rs 100 per extra kilometre. The Basic Life Support Ambulance fare has been fixed at Rs 2,100 per 10 kilometre and subsequently Rs 100 for every extra kilometre. The fare for Advanced Life Support Ambulance, the third type, has been capped at 4,100 up to 10 km and Rs 100 for every extra kilometre.
The authorities have also turned some of the city's three-wheeled autorickshaws into makeshift ambulances to ferry COVID-19 patients. The service, which began officially on Tuesday, is free.
Families have had to make their own arrangements, including paying exorbitant amounts, to private ambulance operators to take the sick to hospital.
Last Saturday, Delhi Police arrested ambulance driver Pramod Kumar, 30, for charging Rs 8,500 for shifting a patient for a distance of five kilometres.
The Supreme Court last year had directed all states to fix a reasonable rate for providing ambulance services to Covid patients.
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