Pune: Ambulance service provider booked for charging exorbitant

Pune: Ambulance service provider booked for charging exorbitant

Pune: Bibwewadi police booked an ambulance service provider who charged Rs 8000 for a trip of 7 kilometres distance from Bibwewadi to Erandwane on Wednesday. Police have also seized the ambulance of the service provider. The FIR was lodged on instruction of District Collector Naval Kishor Ram when he received a complaint from the patient’s relative regarding the ambulance services.

Regional Transport Office (RTO) Inspector Dhananjay Gosavi has filed a complaint in this regard at the Bibwewadi police station. Based on this complaint, police have booked Sanjeevani Ambulance Services based in Hadapsar under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Epidemic Management Act.

Primary investigations have revealed that the RTO had permitted ‘Sanjeevani’ to use their vehicle as a Mobile Clinic Van, but they were using it as an ambulance. This is direct and clear violation of the norms of RTO and also the directives issued by district authorities and city police regarding the amount to be charged per kilometre by ambulance providers to patients or their relatives.

According to police, a patient was residing in a society in Bibwewadi area was suspected to be Covid-19 positive. His family decided to get him admitted to a private hospital in Erandwane area. They sought services from Sanjeevani ambulance services and shifted the patient to the hospital. However, they were charged Rs 8000 for the 7 kilometre trip by the ambulance provider company. Upset over this, the patient’s relatives complained about this provider charging exorbitantly to the Collector Office.

District Collector Ram took serious cognizance of this complaint and directed the RTO to file a complaint against the company at the police station. Collector Ram also tweeted about this case. In his tweet Ram says, “FIR lodged against an ambulance service for charging exorbitantly. During the time of crisis all private hospitals and health service providers must adhere to rules and rationality.” Many twitter users reacted to this and urged the Collector to take similar action against hospitals too. Collector Ram replied to these claims, asking them to furnish specific details and assured that action will be taken against all erring persons. 

Edited by: Pranav Jalan

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com