Shimla, June 6 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday clarified that the government has not recommended charging of consultation fee of Rs.10 from patients at the time of registration.

"Hospitals have been made autonomous. If they are collecting Rs.10 for cleanliness or management, it is not under government instruction. They are free to regulate internally, but we have only sought feedback-not enforced any such fee," said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday.

According to a notification issued by the state health department on Monday, Rogi Kalyan Samities have been authorised to levy user charges on need basis to strengthen and improve services like sanitation, hygiene and maintenance of infrastructure and eq...