Maharashtra: Treatment in Government Hospitals to Remain Free After Circular Sparks Row

The Maharashtra government recently issued a circular announcing a revised rate chart for medical treatment in government hospitals, which sparked widespread controversy across the state. Following strong public backlash, the government admitted that the inclusion of treatment charges in the circular was an inadvertent mistake and has now issued a corrigendum clarifying that treatment in government hospitals will remain completely free.

In its clarification, the Public Health Department stated that medical examinations and treatment in government hospitals under its control were made free of cost as per a government resolution dated August 23, 2023, and this policy continues unchanged. However, in the revised Citizen’s Charter published on January 16, 2026, government-approved rates from a June 6, 2015 resolution were mistakenly included in Annexure-III. Since treatment in government hospitals remains free, Annexure-III has now been withdrawn through a corrigendum issued on February 9, 2026.

What Is the Controversy?

On January 16, 2026, the state government released an updated Citizen’s Charter, which mentioned revised medical treatment charges. Several newspapers reported this, leading to widespread concern that free treatment in government hospitals had been discontinued. The reports triggered strong public reactions, especially in rural areas where a large section of the population depends heavily on government healthcare facilities. The news caused widespread anger and anxiety among economically weaker sections and patients across the state. Following the backlash, the Public Health Department promptly reviewed the matter and admitted that the treatment rates were included in the document by mistake.

Charges That Were Mentioned

According to the mistakenly published rate chart, charges ranging from ₹5 for case papers to ₹40,000 for joint replacement surgeries were proposed. These rates were meant to apply across all government healthcare facilities, from primary health centres to district hospitals.

Free Treatment Policy Remains in Place

In 2023, then Health Minister Tanaji Sawant had taken a landmark decision to provide free treatment across all government hospitals in Maharashtra. This policy came into effect from August 15, 2023, and has been implemented statewide since then.

However, after the recent publication of the revised Citizen’s Charter, confusion arose among citizens about whether charges had been reintroduced after the elections. The government has now firmly clarified that treatment in government hospitals will continue to be provided free of cost, and the inclusion of rates was purely an administrative error.