The 3500-member strong General Practitioners Association, Greater Mumbai would soon approach the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state government over the issue of 'unreasonable' charges that the clinics have to pay including for the registration of clinics, use of electricity, water and waste disposal.

The association might even consider taking up the issue with the mayor of Mumbai, Shri Mahadeo Deole if the matter doesn't get resolved at the lower level, it is learnt.

The general practitioners do not want the cumbersome process of approaching many authorities while registering to start a practice. All the activities for starting a procedure should be taken up by a single association, they allege.

For the medical professionals to start a practice, they first have to approach the Maharashtra Medical Council, followed by registering with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation under the Bombay Nursing Home Registration (BNHR) Act.

The whole process according to the physicians involves a lot of hassles and loads of paperwork. "If the whole process is simplified and handed over to a single association, it would save time and inconvenience caused to the physicians," says Dr Suhas Pingle, general secretary, GPA. "Accordingly, the alternatives would be discussed with the authorities," said he.

According to Dr Pingle, the other issue of charging high rates for the use of water and electricity would also be taken up in a serious manner. "From Rs.300 per month last year, they have shot up the rates for water usage to Rs.900 per month. How can this move be justified?" questions Dr Pingle. According to him, the clinics are being charged commercial rates, which are way too high compared to the residential rates. "All we propose is to exclude clinics from the tax bracket of a commercial centre and adjust the rates in between those charged for the commercial and residential," he says.

The GPA might even approach the BMC over the issue of biomedical waste collection, which does not exist for the general practitioners. "We would be happy if the BMC considers collection of waste from our clinics, as currently the practice is not in use. This would eliminate the need for disposing medical waste with the general waste", said Dr Pingle.