Covid-19: 12 Diagnostic Centres Move Rajasthan High Court Challenging State's Order Capping Price For RT-PCR Test At Rs. 350

The matter is likely to be heard tomorrow by a division bench headed by Chief Justice Indrajeet Mahanty.

The petition states that the charges fixed by the State Government are way below that actual costing to the Diagnostic Laboratories and thus, they will not be able to conduct the test at the capped price.

It is stated that RT-PCR Test require expensive and high-quality machine to achieve the desired and accurate results. The following modes and mediums are essential:

• Viral transmission medium used for transport of swabs— costing about Rs. 20-25
• RNA extraction kit that isolates single-standed RNA, the genetic material, from the sample— costing about Rs. 100-115
• RT-PCR kit that detects presence of virus's RNA in a sample— costing about Rs. 110-130
• Consumables (all plastic ware)— costing about Rs. 100
• Other costs like manpower, etc.— costing about Rs. 80-100
• PPE Kits, Masks, etc.— costing about Rs. 100-150

It is submitted that Laboratories incur approximately Rs.620/- per test, without taking into considering the capital expenditure incurred by them in procuring highly expensive machines and equipments, administrative expenses, repair and maintenance expenses etc.

The plea points out that over a period of time, the Government issued various notifications reducing the testing price from Rs. 4,500/- to Rs. 350/- now.

"This action is wholly arbitrary and has been taken without any application of mind. The principles of natural justice are not only violated, but despite request made by the Petitioners by submitting detailed representation, no consultation whatsoever has been done with the Petitioners, who are an important stakeholder in the entire process of the Testing drive for Covid-19 through RT-PCR Test," the plea states.

The Petitioners have urged the High Court to hold that the actions of State Government by capping/fixing the price/charges for conducting RT-PCR Test for Covid-19 is illegal and arbitrary and beyond jurisdiction.