After HC rap, Punjab agrees to release pending dues under Ayushman Bharat scheme within a month
PTC Web Desk: Following a stern warning from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab Government has assured the court that it will release all pending dues to private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme by March 21, 2024. These dues pertain to payments outstanding until December 31, 2024.
For the past two years, the Punjab Government had not disbursed the payments under the scheme. However, the situation took a turn when the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned the government about its expenditure on advertisements worth crores while failing to clear dues owed to private hospitals.
Initially, the government sought three months to settle the payments. However, after the High Court reprimanded the administration and warned of contempt proceedings against the Finance Secretary, the government agreed to clear the dues within a month.
With this assurance, the High Court disposed of the petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The court, however, clarified that if the government fails to fulfill its commitment within the stipulated timeframe, the IMA would be at liberty to approach the court again.
- PTC NEWS
