PGI Chandigarh Union demands high-level probe into AB-PMJAY Fraud

Chandigarh: Nearly a month after a youth fraudulently claimed Rs 60k worth of medicines under the Ayushman Bharat- PMJAY scheme using forged documents and fake stamps from the pharmacy of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, the joint action committee of the institute's Contract Workers’ Union has urged the central government to constitute a high level panel to probe the employees role in connection to the case. 

In a letter to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the committee asked the government to set up a special committee to investigate possible irregularities in the Ayushman scheme. The union's joint action committee claimed that some employees from the medical superintendent’s office and the private grant cell may be involved in the alleged scam.

Also read- Youth Fraudulently Claims Rs 60k Medicines Under Ayushman Bharat

It also highlighted the government to review the involvement of PGIMER employees in central government health programs, along with other possible scams linked to the private grant cell, reports HT. 

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme that aims to provide a health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The scheme covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalisation and 15 days of post-hospitalisation expenses.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a routine security check at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, led to a major breakthrough, exposing a multi-state racket involving the illegal procurement of medicines valued at Rs 60,000 under the Ayushman Bharat cashless scheme. The medicines meant for patients were allegedly resold to private medical stores.

On February 18, the PGIMER security personnel intercepted a young man attempting to collect medicines worth Rs 60,000 using a fake department stamp. His suspicious behavior led to an on-the-spot interrogation, during which he revealed details of a larger network operating not only in the hospital but also connected with other states. When officials searched him, they found an indent book from the Department of Urology and eight counterfeit stamps belonging to various PGIMER departments.

The scammers allegedly used forged documents and fake departmental stamps to obtain medicines under the scheme from PGIMER's AMRIT Pharmacy. The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch after initial investigation by the local police.

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