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BJP MP K Laxman on Thursday urged the government to ensure transparent and standardised medical billing, as he raised concerns over "exploitation practices" by private hospitals. Raising the issue in the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Laxman said in the absence of norms, many families are pushed into hardship due to medical bills. "There is a rise in exploitative practices by certain private corporate hospitals. Reports from patients, civil society and consumer bodies point to a disturbing pattern of unnecessary diagnostic tests, unwanted prolonged hospital stays with no clinical justification, and opaque billing processes," Laxman said. "Absence of transparent norms leaves people with little choice, pushing many families into hardship. Reports highlight they charge Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 as OPD, which is not covered under schemes like Ayushman Bharat," he said. The BJP MP urged the government to take steps to ensure transparent billing. "I urge the government to ensure transparent .
Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje called for collective efforts to combat obesity. She said, "Many people appear thin on the outside, but they have internal fat, which is more dangerous." Raje, while speaking at a programme, said obesity is becoming an epidemic worldwide and that the effort to curb it should not be the responsibility of politicians alone, but of everyone. She mentioned that she ensures her weight does not increase and follows regular exercise, intermittent fasting, etc., to maintain her health. She also stated that over a billion people worldwide suffer from obesity. "Losing weight is not the end goal but the beginning of a healthy and energetic life," she said. Raje highlighted that nearly 15 per cent of children in India are overweight, making it necessary to educate children about proper nutrition, similar to the practices in Japan.