Ex-minister’s name in health scheme raises eyebrows

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, September 23

The inclusion of the name of a former Haryana minister in the list of the beneficiaries of the much-publicised Ayushman Bharat scheme raised many eyebrows here on Sunday.

While the health protection scheme is meant for the persons from people belonging to poor economic and social strata, the name of AC Chaudhary, a former minister, who is a resident of 5M/54/NIT here, surprised many.

It was reported that besides his name, some of his neighbours who might not be eligible on the parameters required for the eligibility, have also found a place in the list prepared in 2011. It is claimed that Chaudhary had been declared as socially and economically backward as per the list prepared in the SECC (social, economic and caste census) done seven years ago.

The Union Minister of State for Social Justice Krishan Pal Gurjar, when told about the flaw, expressed his surprise over the issue. He said as Chaudhary or his family members were not eligible for the scheme as per the parameters required for selection of the beneficiaries, he said it was a matter that needed to be probed. He said a probe would be conducted into it.

AC Chaudhary had been elected MLA three times in 1982, 1991 and 2005. He had also served as minister for various tenures up to 1996.

When contacted, he said he was not aware how his name got included in the list that was prepared in 2011 under the SECC. He said it was the duty of the officials concerned to verify the eligibility of the beneficiaries.