Ker HC praises govt’s decision to bring down RT-PCR rates to Rs 500

PTI, May 4, 2021, 6:38 PM IST

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday appreciated the recent decision of the State government to reduce the cost of the RT-PCR COVID-19 test from Rs 1,700 to Rs500.

However, the court wanted the government to explain their authority in issuing such an order.

The court’s observation was on a batch of petitions filed by owners of at least 10 private laboratories challenging reduction of test rate.

The government informed the court that by Friday, their stand will be informed.

Claiming that they were not heard before the government decided to reduce the rate, the petitioners had stated that it was arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice and asserted the new order goes against the order of the apex court where labs were permitted to charge a rate prescribed by Indian Council of Medical Research.

Meanwhile, the court, taking note of things on its own, asked the government to deploy sufficient police force to avert crowds at vaccination centres.

The court also directed to implead the Central and State governments in the case.