New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to Delhi government seeking its response in a challenge to Delhi government order capping the price of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 by private laboratories at Rs 800.`
Association of Practicing Pathologists, a registered association of over 240 practicing pathologists with standalone medical laboratories in Delhi/NCR, filed a petition before Delhi High Court that given the costs associated with the test the maximum price fixed by Delhi Government was unreasonable and was imposed without any authority in law. He submitted that the private laboratories were not looking at profit-making and earlier, the price was capped at Rs 2,400.
He submitted that the order of Government violated Article 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India.
He said that such unreasonable capping of charges at “non-viable rates” would ensure that no new lab applies for COVID-19 testing approval.
Counsel for Delhi Government opposed the petition and stated that the price was fixed based on the data and a petition concerning price fixation of RT-PCR tests was already pending before the Supreme Court.
Counsel for petitioner submitted that the Delhi Government was not clearing the bills owned to private labs also.
Justice Navin Chawla, after hearing the petition filed by Association of Practicing Pathologists, issued notice to Delhi Government seeking their response and adjourned the matter for further hearing on February 25, 2021.
