In a significant move to safeguard public funds, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has expressed serious concern over the widespread misuse of the state government's health scheme cards. During a high-level meeting with health department officials in Jaipur on Sunday, the CM was briefed on the formation of a dedicated task force to curb fraudulent activities under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS).
Widespread Crackdown on Fraudulent Activities
The health department has launched a major offensive against irregularities within the RGHS system. Since April this year, the department has blocked the cards of 1,032 beneficiaries suspected of fraudulent claims. This decisive action underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that the scheme benefits only genuine claimants.
The crackdown has not been limited to beneficiaries alone. A substantial number of service providers have also faced stringent action for violating scheme norms. In the same period, 137 pharmacies were suspended and their unique IDs deactivated from the RGHS network. Furthermore, an additional 411 pharmacies received suspensions for failing to comply with mandatory cashless medicine distribution protocols.
Action Against Hospitals, Labs, and Pharmacies
The drive for transparency has seen penalties imposed across the healthcare chain. Authorities have penalized 944 pharmacies for operating with lapsed drug licenses. The scrutiny extended to diagnostic centers, with four labs facing suspension for non-compliance.
A senior health department official revealed the scale of action against hospitals: "To make the RGHS facility better and transparent, from April 2025 till now, 159 approved private hospitals were suspended from the scheme with their IDs blocked, and 5 hospitals were de-empanelled." Following necessary hearings, a hefty penalty of Rs 26.1 crore was levied on erring hospitals, out of which Rs 25 crore has already been recovered. Currently, 65 private hospitals remain suspended as departmental proceedings continue against them.
Recent Actions and Legal Measures
The department's vigilance remains ongoing. Just last week, a private diagnostic lab in Bikaner was de-empanelled from RGHS. Simultaneously, six Confed medical stores and one private hospital were suspended for irregularities.
The state is also pursuing legal avenues to deter fraud. In a strong message, the health department has filed First Information Reports (FIRs) at police stations against pharmacies, doctors, and beneficiaries in 10 distinct cases of fraud in 2025. This step marks a significant escalation from administrative penalties to criminal proceedings.
The RGHS is a vital welfare scheme, providing comprehensive cashless medical coverage to serving and retired state employees, officers, ministers, MLAs, and former MLAs. It covers a wide range of services including in-patient treatment, daycare, outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, and medicines. The current crackdown aims to protect this crucial safety net from systemic abuse and ensure its sustainability for genuine beneficiaries.
