Visitors being fleeced on parking fees at GMCH, SMGS hospitals

*Overcharging being done without restriction
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: The patients as well as their attendants visiting the two premier hospitals in the city viz. Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu and Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital, are allegedly being overcharged or illegally charged by parking mafia.
According to the sources, both at SMGS and GMCH Jammu, the men engaged in parking lots by the concerned contractors are charging at least Rs 20 for 2 hours for parking four-wheelers and Rs 10 for 2 hours for two-wheelers and in case the time exceeds they charge excess amount from the vehicle owners.
The sources said that this practice is continued for years together without restriction and ‘parking mafia’ active in the hospitals is not ready to shun its practice of overcharging the parking fee from all vehicles entering the hospital at the main gate itself.
As per the contract between the concerned contractor and hospital authorities, the parking staff is supposed to charge only Rs 10 for four-wheelers, Rs 5 for two wheelers while as violating all rules they are charging Rs 20 from four-wheelers and Rs 10 from two-wheelers.
On Thursday, this Excelsior Correspondent was also charged Rs 10 for a single two-wheeler entry and any argument with the parking staff bore no fruit as he refused to listen to reason.
Two-wheelers and cars are also being charged double the mandated rates. This is even as once you enter the parking area there is no guarantee that you would find space for your vehicle. Moreover, the parking receipt does not bear the actual and the correct rates that are to be charged.
On the top of that, an important part of the contract between the hospital administration and contractor, which is prominent display of the legitimate rates of parking at several places, is being violated with impunity in both the hospitals.
Frustrated and angry at the brazenness of it a social activist said that in these state of affairs, authorities should stop paid parking at these hospitals.
He added, “The State Government claims to be offering free treatment at these institutions. It is grave injustice to force people to pay to the parking contractor even before they can enter the hospital. What’s worse, the money has to be paid even though you might not get parking space.”
Medical Superintendent, GMCH, Jammu, Dr Ravinder Ratanpal and Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, Dr Dara Singh said, “Action will be taken if the contractor is overcharging. We will summon the contractor and seek an explanation for overcharging. We will also ensure that rate list is displayed at all entry gates in 48 hours.”
They said if the visitors are being fleeced by the parking staff, they must submit written complaint to their office.

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