A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has exposed significant corruption within Jharkhand's health department. The report highlights critical flaws, including a severe shortage of medicines in government hospitals, misuse of COVID-19 funds, irregularities in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and discrepancies in the maternity benefits program.
Ranchi: The CAG report has unveiled widespread corruption within Jharkhand's health department. The report details serious shortcomings such as a severe shortage of medicines in government hospitals, misuse of COVID-19 funds, irregularities in the maternity benefits scheme, and discrepancies in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Reacting to Health Minister Irfan Ansari's statement on the report, Jamshedpur West MLA Sarayu Rai expressed b disapproval and demanded a CBI investigation.
CAG Report Creates Uproar
The CAG report reveals extensive irregularities in Jharkhand's health sector:
* Severe Medicine Shortage: Government hospitals face a critical shortage of essential medicines, forcing patients to purchase medicines at inflated prices from private medical stores.
* COVID-19 Fund Misappropriation: Out of ₹756.42 crore provided by the central government, only ₹137 crore has been utilized, leaving RT-PCR labs, oxygen plants, and essential hospital infrastructure incomplete.
* Irregularities in Maternity Benefit Scheme: In Bokaro and Dhanbad districts, several women received benefits twice within four months, leading to misappropriation of government funds.
* Irregularities in Ayushman Bharat Scheme: The scheme's benefits have primarily reached large corporate hospitals, while rural government hospitals remain deprived.
Sarayu Rai's Strong Attack, Warning of CBI Inquiry
While Health Minister Irfan Ansari dismissed the allegations as baseless in his explanation of the CAG report, Sarayu Rai rejected his explanation, stating, "This government is condoning corruption." He warned that if swift action isn't taken against the guilty, he will pursue the matter legally and demand a CBI investigation.
Sarayu Rai stated, "Jharkhand's health department has been mired in corruption for the past five years. Government hospitals face a severe shortage of medicines, forcing patients to wander for treatment. The health minister is trying to cover up this corruption, but we will not let this go."
Serious Allegations Against the Health Minister
Sarayu Rai compared the situation to the Chara Ghotala (scam), where a CBI investigation followed court intervention based on a CAG report. He warned that if the health minister attempts to protect the guilty, this incident could escalate to a scale similar to the Chara Ghotala. Sarayu Rai urged the Chief Minister to conduct a high-level investigation into the corruption in medicine procurement, misuse of COVID-19 funds, and irregularities in government schemes within the health department.
He stated that if the government remains unresponsive, he will approach the courts and demand a CBI investigation. Following the release of the CAG report, the state government has adopted a defensive stance. The opposition and the public have begun demanding accountability from the government.
