Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 26: The contractors of the vehicles’ stands at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu and Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital are allegedly violating the rules and exploiting hundreds of visitors daily right under the nose of the respective hospital authorities by charging the patients more than double the fixed rates.
Sources in GMCH Jammu and SMGS Hospital told Excelsior that as per the parking contract between the contractors and authorities of GMCH Jammu and SMGS Hospital, the contractors are allowed to charge a two-wheeler Rs 5 for one time and Rs 7 for 24 hours while a four-wheeler (car/jeep) can be charged Rs 10 for one time and Rs 15 for 24 hours.
However, sources said, the contractors at both the hospitals are fleecing the visitors by charging double or even more than double the actual rates. The visitors are charged Rs 10 for a two- wheeler and Rs 20 for a four-wheeler if they park their vehicle for two hours and if the time exceeds, they charge another Rs 10 for next two hours.
They said that autocratic nature of the contractors can be gauzed from the fact that if somebody parks his vehicle for 12 hours, he is charged Rs 30 for two-wheeler and Rs 50 for four-wheeler while for 24 hours, he is charged Rs 50 for two-wheeler and Rs 80 for four-wheeler.
“This type of loot on the name of parking charges is not new. The previous contractors also used to do this and the present contractors are also following the same line and authorities of both these hospitals have failed to protect the interest of the patients despite getting complaints of overcharging time and again”, sources said.
Though the slips issued to the driver or the owner of the vehicle is supposed to bear the entry time, registration number of the vehicle and amount charged, yet no amount charged to the visitor is mentioned in the slip. The slips are totally obscure.
Though detailed rates applicable for parking as per the tender have been written on boards erected at the stands, the employees at stands befool the visitors by terming the rates written on board as old rates if any visitor objects to the contractors’ overcharging.
“The patients are already suffering and every paisa counts for them. It is the duty of the hospital authorities to safeguard their interests at vehicle stands too. But, they are charged even more than double the rates without mentioning any time on the slips. Nearly 80% vehicles stay there only for a few hours. But, they are charged for 24 hours,” said Sanjay Sharma, an ENT patient who had come to SMGS Hospital for treatment.
Hans Raj, an attendant of a patient at SMGS Hospital said, he was charged Rs 20 for three hours and when he objected, he was told that rates displayed on the board at parking space are old rates. He said as in both GMCH Jammu and SMGS Hospital the authorities concerned have arranged separate parking space for staff, students and doctors, and no penny is charged from them while nobody bothers to the loot of the patients and other visitors.
“I was demanded Rs 80 to park my car for whole night in GMCH parking and when I objected to overcharging, the employees at vehicle stand misbehaved with me. But, as my patient was serious and I had no alternative so I ignored and paid the said amount”, Nitin Gupta of RS Pura told this correspondent.
Another patient identified as Ankit Manhas said that he was also demanded Rs 20 (Rs 10 more than actual rate) for parking his two-wheeler for two hours in GMCH parking and when he objected, he was asked to park his vehicle outside the gate.
To verify the facts, this correspondent disguised as a patient also visited both these hospitals and was charged Rs 10 to park his two-wheeler for just 30 minutes while one time charge as per the rates applicable is Rs 5.
When contacted, Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, Dr Dara Singh, said that in the past they imposed fines several times on the contractor of vehicles’ stand on the complaints of overcharging by the visitors but no fresh complaint has been received in this regard recently. He said if anybody submits written complaint in this connection we will definitely take action against the contractors.
Medical Superintendent of GMCH Jammu, Dr Ramesh Gupta, also gave similar comments. He said that all parking rates have been displayed on boards installed at parking places and if still someone is being overcharged, he/she should come to us with written complaint.
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