Assam: People demand action against agencies for illegally demanding money for issuing Ayushman Medical cards in Golaghat

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) popularly known as Ayushman Bharat Yojana Scheme is the flagship scheme by the Government of India. It is essentially a health insurance scheme to cater to the poor, lower section of the society and the vulnerable population. 

The scheme offers financial protection in case of hospitalization due to medical emergencies. But in recent times, in Golaghat district, there is a brokerage circle around this important scheme. The circle is seen to be in a competition to make money for issuing Ayushman cards to the poor.

As per the guidelines of the National Health Authority, the concerned party can collect a maximum of Rs 30 from the beneficiary for each Ayushman ID. But in Golaghat district, the agencies providing Ayushman ID have allegedly collected up to Rs 250 per beneficiary. 

Hundreds of private agencies, especially in Golaghat Town, are collecting money in this manner in exchange for providing PVC copies of Ayushman Cards. 

“First of all I would like to thank Assam government as well as the Central government for starting this initiative of providing Ayushman Bharat cards for the benefit of the financially weaker section of the society. In addition to this, it has been reported that a vicious circle is carrying out illegal practices in the name of providing Ayushman cards. Some are demanding money such as Rs 150, 200 etc in the name of providing the Ayushman cards. I request the government to identify these vicious circle and arrest these people, Would request the Golaghat to pull out these persons involved in these illegal work and sent behind bars,” said one of the beneficiary.

Simultaneously it has been reported that another circle has collected Rs 100 from each beneficiary in the name of providing Ayushman Bharat Health Account i.e. ABHA number. It is to be noted that the ABHA number is legally attached to Ayushman ID. In such a situation, the agencies have separately planned to make money for issuing Ayushman ID and ABHA numbers in Golaghat district. 

Along with Golaghat town, Merapani, Dergaon, Bokakhat etc. in the district are now being carried out by such a vicious circle in the name of making Ayushman cards. A section of the party organisations in Golaghat district are now vocal against such corruption against the poor beneficiaries. 

In particular, the Golaghat district committee of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Asom Sangrami Sena have urged the Golaghat district administration to take steps to prevent such unprincipled activities of the vicious circle.