Uproar among doctors over Rajya

Sabha plan to cap consultation

charges
Jyoti Shelar, Mumbai Mirror | Aug 22, 2014, 11.41AM IST
inShare

Doctor fees can range from

a few hundred to a few
thousand rupees, depending
on seniority and specialty.
The plan to regularize
doctors fees was put
forward by Renuka
Chowdhury (inset pic).
MUMBAI: A proposal in the Rajya Sabha to put a cap on doctors' fee has created uproar
in the medical fraternity. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has already decided to
go to the court, even as patient bodies and activists hail the move.
The proposal titled 'Regularization of Doctors' Fees' was put forward by Congress leader
Renuka Chowdhury. It calls for formation of an expert committee to study the pattern of
charging, classifying the kind of services offered by doctors, and putting a cap on the
consultation charges accordingly. At present, doctors' fees can range from a few hundreds
to a few thousands depending on seniority and specialty.
"Regularization of consultation charges has never been done for any professional. Why
only doctors?" questioned IMA secretary Dr Jayesh Lele. He said IMA has already taken
legal advice and is prepared to go to the court, if the proposal is passed. "It is against the
Constitution to fix remuneration of professionals," he added.