Lekha G
The Delhi Government on Thursday fixed charges levied by private ambulance services in the range of INR 1500 – INR 4000 amid the raging pandemic.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that, “It has come to our notice that private ambulance services in Delhi are charging illegitimately. To avoid this practice, Delhi Government has capped maximum prices that private ambulance services can charge. Strict actions will be taken against those who violate the Order”.
The Order was issued by Special Secretary and Director of Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS). The charges for Patient Transport ambulances (PTA), Basic Life Support ambulances (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances were fixed.
The Order stated that for each type of ambulance service, the maximum charges would include oxygen, all ambulance equipment, PPE kit, gloves, mask, shield, sanitization, driver, emergency medical technician and doctor.
The CATS would provide free ambulance service throughout the day in Delhi by a toll-free number 102. The maximum charge for PTA will be INR 1500 per call for up to 10 kilometres, followed by INR 100 per extra kilometres.
For BLS category, the maximum charge will be INR 2000 per call for up to 10 kilometres followed by INR 100 per extra kilometres. The maximum charge of ATS would be INR 4000 for up to 10 kilometres and INR 100 per extra kilometres.
The Order further stated, “If any instance of charging rates higher than the aforesaid maximum comes to the notice by any private ambulance driver, service provider, operator or owner, strict action as per applicable laws shall be taken”.
The action might be cancellation of driving license of ambulance driver or registration certificate of ambulance and impounding of the vehicle.