In a positive development, Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government has slashed the prices of RT-PCR tests conducted by private laboratories, a day after Delhi and Gujarat had also taken similar decisions, reports Hindustan Times.

Now, in UP, charges for RT-PCR tests performed by private laboratories will be capped at Rs 700 if not performed at home, and Rs 900 if performed at the home of the individual being tested. These rates would be inclusive of any goods and service tax (GST). Meanwhile, the Government-run hospitals would continue to conduct testing for free of cost.

The State Government has been continually slashing the costs of RT-PCR testing in UP. While initially the RT-PCR testing by private laboratories was priced at Rs 4,500, these were gradually brought down to Rs 2,500. Thereafter, on bygone 10 September, prices were further slashed to Rs 1,600. And now they stand at Rs 700.

The development also gains merit as it would make it cheaper for people to get tested, and likely give a fillip to the number of tests conducted daily. As of last Monday (10 November), the State had conducted 1,43,000 tests, taking the total number of tests conducted by the State to whopping 19.4 million.