Kurnool: A ‘trade war’ of sorts has erupted in Kurnool district between the municipal authorities and private healthcare institutions. What triggered it is the municipality increasing the annual trade licence fee on nursing homes in the district from Rs 8,000 to Rs 50,000.
Notices have been issued directing hospitals to pay the revised fee before the end of February, failing which hefty penalties will be imposed. The move has drawn sharp criticism from doctors and nursing home managements.
Representatives of the AP Nursing Homes’ Association (APNA) have approached Industries minister T.G. Bharat seeking his intervention. The minister reportedly advised officials orally to continue with the old fee structure for this year.
However, when hospital managements went to the Kurnool municipal office to renew their licence with Rs 8,000, officials refused to accept the amount, insisting on payment of Rs 50,000. They say no written communication has been received on reduction of the fee. Thus, the revised fee of Rs 50,000, as approved, must be paid before the end of the month or face the risk of payment with penalties.
There are 293 healthcare establishments in the district, including nursing homes, clinics, 50-bed hospitals and polyclinics.
Kurnool municipal commissioner P. Viswanath has clarified that the hike is not a unilateral decision. He stated that a two-member committee had submitted a report recommending the revision. This had subsequently been approved by the standing committee of Kurnool Municipal Corporation.
APNA district general secretary Rahul has questioned why such a steep hike has been introduced only in Kurnool. “No other district has imposed more than a 600 per cent increase. We will soon announce our future course of action,” he stated.
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