The state government on Tuesday succumbed to vehement protests by lawyers and doctors over the circular it had issued.
The circular insisted that doctors & lawyers must display consultation & other chargesAHMEDABAD: The state government on Tuesday succumbed to vehement protests by lawyers and doctors over the circular it had issued directing members of the two professions in the state to fix charges for the services they offered and announced that it was postponing the implementation of the circular.
The consumer affairs department had indicated on Monday that the government would rethink if it would go ahead with the implementation of the circular and that it was looking for other options for the benefit of consumers.
The state now intends to set up a committee to formulate a law governing the two professions. Laying the blame on the bureaucracy, civil supplies and consumer affairs minister Narottam Patel said, “It was election time, hence we couldn’t pay attention to the circular issued by the consumer department on Dec 27.”
The lawyer fraternity welcomed the decision. There were joyous scenes in the Gheekanta metropolitan magistrates’ court.
“There is need to do a rethink on the circular. For now, we have put a freeze on its implementation,” Patel told DNA.
“We are also planning to form a committee after consultation with the chief minister who is currently in New Delhi,” he said.
The circular had contained directives to doctors and lawyers to display information in their offices about their consultation charges, admission fee, patient room charges and other charges.
Patel said, “We heard the complaints of the lawyer fraternity, and realised why they were disagreeing with the directives. We then reviewed all aspects of consumer laws on services of lawyers and doctors.”
“There are laws for the various kinds of cases for lawyers, and the same is true for the doctor fraternity too. There are consumer laws about different services in various sectors, including those of lawyers and doctors, and we will take into account all aspects before we frame a law,” he said.
Chairman of enrollment committee of Bar Council of Gujarat Anil Kella said, “We are happy that the government of Gujarat has taken a positive approach in withholding the circular.”
s_nikunj@dnaindia.net 
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