THE Punjab state secretariat of the CPI(M) has condemned the Akali-BJP government of the state for manifold increases in the government hospital charges in the state. For instance, the charge for an OPD slip, which was Rs 2 in April 2013, has been increased five times and now it is Rs 10 with effect from July 1, 2014. There have been big hikes in ECG, X-ray, ultrasound memography, CT scan and ambulance charges as well. The CPI(M) statement, issued by its state secretary Charan Singh Virdi from Chandigarh on June 28, 2014, also pointed out that the cost of blood has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per pouch while room cooler charges have been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 100, room heater charges from Rs 25 to Rs 100, and so on. The statement said the working people who are already heavily burdened with escalating rises in the prices of essential commodities, would find it difficult to get treatment from the government hospitals which have badly dilapidated services in any case. In such a situation, the treatment in government hospitals also will go beyond the reach of the common man. The state unit of the CPI(M) has demanded immediate rollback of the increase in government hospital charges so as to save the poor people who are already groaning under backbreaking and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and services.