Health plan under lens as cards issued ‘without’ verifying data

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, April 6

In what appears to be a tip of the iceberg, six members of a family of Kadial were shocked to find out that someone else had “misused” their ration card to get health cards of the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY).

The government system shows that health cards had been issued on their ration card, but neither their fingerprints nor the Aadhaar cards were taken. They have now written to the Sangrur DC and Vigilance Bureau for a high-level inquiry and sought strict action against the guilty.

“We had spent lakhs on the treatment of my father as he remained ill for many years before his death in 2016. We were hopeful that SSBY would help us in case any other member of our family faces any health issue. After my mother Balwinder Kaur got her SSBY card, rest of us also applied for one. But, the government records show that our cards have already been issued. How is it possible without our fingerprints and Aadhaar card,” Amritpal Singh said.

Besides Amritpal, those who do not have the SSBY card in his family are his wife Rajwinder Kaur, daughter Guntaj Kaur, brother Sandeep Singh, Sandeep’s wife Baljit Kaur and their daughter Navdeep Kaur. “Our Aadhaar cards are linked with the ration card. I request the authorities to cancel the cards issued in our name and investigate the matter,” Amritpal said.

A senior official said the SSBY was an extended benefit to beneficiaries of various government schemes. “Whenever anyone wants to get the health card of SSBY issued, authorities collect his name, address, fingerprints and Aadhaar card details. With this card, a family can avail treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh in a hospital after being admitted. The goof-up seems impossible as the government has put in place the required mechanism to maintain transparency. But if this has happened, we will investigate it,” said Sangrur DC Ramvir.

How’s it possible without Aadhaar card?

• Amritpal Singh said after his mother received her health card, rest of the family also applied for one. But the government records showed their cards had already been issued
• “How is it possible without our fingerprints and Aadhaar card, which is linked with the ration card. I request the authorities to cancel the cards issued in our name and investigate the matter,” he said