HC ticks off Punjab for not releasing Ayushman funds to private hospitals

Chandigarh: Reprimanding Punjab government for not releasing funds to private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat despite receiving Rs 350 crore from Centre, Punjab and Haryana HC has ordered salaries of senior functionaries, including Kumar Rahul, Punjab health department principal secretary, to be attached.

The HC observed that state govt, having received money for a specified purpose, is a custodian of the money and must release i t only to actual beneficiaries. It cannot be permitted to retain the amount, leaving citizens litigating for their dues, and misappropriate the grants at the cost of the actual recipient, the HC said.

The petitioners had approached HC seeking release of their pending dues. The empanelled hospitals admit patients under the scheme and raise claims for medical expenses with state health agency under Punjab govt’s department of health and family welfare.

“Ordinarily, such action would call for stern orders against erring officials who misdirected funds for unauthorised use. However, before proposing any action, it is deemed expedient to seek a detailed response from the state on financial reimbursement received by it from Centre from Dec 2021 until now and how that money has been utilised,” the HC order said, seeking an affidavit from Punjab within two weeks.

“The affidavit shall also inform whether the amount received could be used for the said purposes (for which the amount has been utilised) or not,” the order added. It also asked Punjab to provide details of payments made against bills from Dec 30, 2021 to Sept 24, 2024 along with date on which such payment was released.