Diary Times News Service
Shimla, August 5: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to issue summons to those involved in a major case of fraud worth crores of rupees through fake Ayushman cards. The ED’s questioning is expected to lead to several key revelations, with the proceeds of crime in the fraud case estimated to be around Rs 25 crore. The investigation will also probe properties owned by the hospitals involved.
On Wednesday, the ED carried out extensive raids at 20 locations in Delhi, Chandigarh, several districts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, including Kangra, Una, Shimla, Mandi and Kullu. The raids, conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, led to the seizure of Rs 88 lakh in cash, four bank lockers and 140 related bank accounts. Besides, 16 digital devices such as mobile phones, iPads, hard disks and pen drives, immovable and movable properties, books of accounts and other documents were seized.
The ED is examining the seized devices and records retrieved from bank accounts to ascertain the extent of illegal assets acquired by the accused. Apart from the Ayushman scheme, the ED will also investigate records of the Himcare scheme. Documents related to claims under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Himcare and other health schemes were seized during the raids. These documents reveal suspicious transactions totalling Rs 21 crore for 23,000 patients, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the claims submitted to the government and the actual records maintained by the hospitals. Also, several claim files in the name of patients were found missing.
Despite the ongoing investigation, the state government and the health department will continue the process of payment for the treatments given under the Himcare scheme till August. However, this amount of about Rs 1,000 crore will be given only after a complete investigation. It is worth noting that Rs 550 crore is due on government hospitals and Rs 450 crore on private hospitals.
Private hospitals will be excluded from the Himcare scheme from September 1, however, patients undergoing treatment under this scheme need not worry. Currently 147 private hospitals across the state are providing treatment under the Himcare card. The state government is actively removing irregularities in the Himcare scheme.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu admitted that some private hospitals have taken advantage of the Himcare scheme. He cited cases where an operation should have cost Rs 20,000 but was billed at Rs 1 lakh. The chief minister’s remarks indicate that the state government may re-evaluate all payments made under the Himcare scheme. Himcare Deputy Director Devendra Kumar confirmed that the Himcare facility will be discontinued in private hospitals from September 1.
Chief Minister Sukhu said the scheme was launched in a hurry without adequate preparation, allowing private hospitals to take undue advantage of it. While the Himcare scheme will continue in government hospitals, the state aims to increase its implementation.
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