CM Sukhu Distances Himself from ₹10 OPD Slip Fee in Govt Hospitals

Shimla, June 5:
Amid public concern over the recent decision to charge ₹10 for outpatient slips in Himachal Pradesh’s government hospitals, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified that the directive was not imposed by the state government.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister stated that the idea originated from some hospitals’ Rogi Kalyan Samitis (Patient Welfare Committees), not from the government. “There has been no mandatory instruction from our side,” he said.

CM Sukhu explained that a few hospitals had proposed the fee as a means to generate funds for maintenance, cleanliness, and other essential services. The matter was reviewed by a cabinet sub-committee, which decided that the implementation of such a fee would be left to the discretion of individual hospitals.

“We have not issued any order making the ₹10 OPD fee compulsory across all hospitals. It is entirely up to the respective hospital’s welfare committee to decide whether or not to charge it,” the Chief Minister emphasized.