Medical-Bandh in Delhi

New Delhi, June 27 (UNI) Healthcare institutions affiliated to the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) remained closed today in protest against the ''exorbitant'' mixed land use conversion charges and parking fees levied by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

However, the emergency and the ICU services were kept outside the purview of the shutdown.

DMA President Dr Ramesh Dutta claimed that the shut-down was successful, ''The DMA protested against the move of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi at the behest of the Urban Development Ministry...This will lead to the escalation of cost of Medical services,'' he added.

He said the Delhi Government had been neglecting the demands raised by them and the DMA is being forced to agitate.

Dr Datta expressed the hope that the Government will address the demands raised by the Association.

''These charges are unfair... It is affecting the medical fraternity as well as the patients. These charges will have to be borne by patients. Ultimately these will lead to collapse of medical services,'' he added.

He said the annually mixed land use charges should be fixed only for once.

Under the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021, medical institution or doctors working out of residential areas will have to pay annual conversion charges and one time parking charges.

UNI