Bengaluru: The Karnataka government in a big move increased the fees of government hospitals by 10 to 15 per cent under the Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).

The list includes some prominent names like Victoria Hospital, Minto, Vani Vilas and Super speciality hospitals.

The Congress-led state government issued a notice detailing the updated charges stating with immediate effect.

The key changes include doubling the price of outpatient department (OPD) registration from Rs 10 to Rs 20. A similar increase was made in inpatient admission charges, which will now cost Rs 50 instead of Rs 25.

Meanwhile, blood test charges have risen from Rs 70 to Rs 120, ward charges will now cost Rs 50 and not Rs 25. The hospital waste management charges saw the steepest hike, rising from Rs 10 to Rs 50.

Health Minister Defends Move

Following this move, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao defended it saying, “We are revising user fees that were decided long ago. In certain areas, we have increased them by 10% or 20%. For example, charges that were Rs 10 have been revised to Rs 20, and those that were Rs 20 are now Rs 50. This is not a burden on the people; these are affordable prices. Therefore, it is not a big issue.”

Even previous governments have revised charges for water bills, electricity bills, and many other services. The comparison is irrelevant, as the rates had remained unchanged for many years. We have only increased them slightly, that’s it,” Rao added.