Odisha Govt to probe into alleged corruption in BSKY soon

An investigation is soon to begin into the alleged corruption surrounding the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) – Odisha’s health insurance scheme, sources said on Tuesday.

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced the same following complaints that beneficiaries with valid health cards were denied their entitled benefits.

Also Read: Odisha implements Ayushman Bharat scheme; 2,000 medical procedures covered, says JP Nadda

According to the official sources, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called for an inquiry amid reports of hospitals potentially issuing arbitrary bills. Such practices have raised concerns over the effective implementation of this crucial health scheme aimed at serving the State's disadvantaged communities.

The prompt investigation seeks to address these allegations and ensure transparency and fairness in the scheme’s operation.

“The number of hospitals (empanelled) has multiplied (in Odisha). Ayushman Bharat Yojana is entirely an insurance scheme. During the previous BSKY scheme, despite having the cards, beneficiaries were being ignored by different hospitals,” the Law Minister stated.

“In several places, the beneficiaries were also being exploited and health facilities were billing exorbitantly. Moreover, some officials of the previous government were allegedly involved in corruption,” the Law Minister said to mediapersons.

“We will soon initiate a detailed probe into the BSKY corruption allegations,” Law Minister Harichandan added.

Must Read: Each panchayat in Odisha will have 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir': CM Majhi

Notably, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana will provide health insurance benefits to people and patients will get the insurance benefits in all empanelled hospitals across the country.

The Odisha government’s Health and Family Welfare department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday with the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union Ministry of Health for the implementation of the much-awaited Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).