Imran Naikoo
Srinagar, 25 May : The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued show-cause notices to 11 government hospitals for alleged misuse of the Golden Card scheme under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and SEHAT.
The State Health Agency (SHA) took action after a tele-calling survey by Paramount Health Services & Insurance TPA Pvt. Ltd. revealed that these hospitals denied eligible patients cashless treatment, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket expenses.
The hospitals served with notices include SKIMS Soura, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, JLNM Hospital Srinagar, SMGS Hospital Jammu, Government Medical College Jammu, GMC Udhampur, GMC Rajouri, Government Children’s Hospital Bemina, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, and SKIMS Medical College Bemina.
The State Health Agency has directed these hospitals to submit their written explanations within seven days. Failure to comply may result in penalties, suspension from the scheme, or legal action. Officials stressed that such violations undermine the core purpose of the Golden Card scheme, which aims to provide accessible, cashless healthcare to economically vulnerable sections of society.
Hospitals named include:
1. SKIMS Soura
2. Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar
3. SMHS Hospital Srinagar
4. JLNM Hospital Srinagar
5. SMGS Hospital Jammu
6. GMC Jammu
7. GMC Udhampur
8. GMC Rajouri
9. Govt. Children Hospital Bemina
10. Govt. Hospital Gandhi Nagar
11. SKIMS Medical College, Bemina
The hospitals have seven days to respond, failing which strict action, including suspension from the scheme, may follow.
