Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday gave his nod to a notification to fix the price in private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. Taking cognisance of the exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals to treat Corona patients, the State Government has done categorisation of cities by fixing the treatment cost.<br />'' <br />''Today's decision of the Maharashtra Government comes as a big relief to common man especially those in rural areas who are being charged huge sum of rupees by private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment.<br />''<span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;"> </span><br />''The notification approved by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray categorically states that hospitals cannot charge above the fixed rate. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Health Minister Rajesh Tope had received a number of complaints over exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals in treating COVID-19 patients. In a meeting chaired today by CM Thackeray the rates were fixed and accordingly categorisation of villages and cities have been done. The earlier notification had uniform rates for Covid treatment in cities as well as for remote areas. However now with categorisation of cities into 'A', 'B' and 'C' category there will be difference in rates. The notification says that it will be mandatory for hospitals to provide pre-audited bill to the patients. Further, the notification also has a provision of a visit by flying squad to conduct scrutiny of the rates being charged by private hospitals.<br />