6 held in Gujarat for fraudulently issuing PM-JAY cards to ineligible candidates
Ahmedabad, Dec 17: Police in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city have busted a racket allegedly involved in fraudulently issuing Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) cards to ineligible candidates, and arrested six persons in this connection, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused issued the PM-JAY cards to ineligible beneficiaries by altering the source code of the official portal using login credentials of an authorised outsourcing firm, they said.
The scam was unearthed by the city police's crime branch during its investigation into the deaths of two PM-JAY beneficiaries at Ahmedabad-based Khyati Multispeciality Hospital on November 12 following a botched angioplasty procedure, the police officials said.
So far, the police have arrested eight persons in connection with the deaths at the hospital. Key accused Kartik Patel, owner of the hospital, is still untraceable and is believed to be out of India.
The PM-JAY is a flagship scheme of the central government that provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year to eligible families.
"During the probe, it came to light that one Nikhil Parekh, the Gujarat head of Enser Communication, which holds a government contract for issuing Ayushman Bharat cards, had allegedly provided the master login credentials to other accused for issuing cards to ineligible persons," Joint Commissioner of Police, (Crime) Sharad Singhal said.
The accused helped nearly 3,000 persons in acquiring the Ayushman Bharat cards using this fraudulent means, he said, adding that the scamsters used to charge Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 from each beneficiary.
The arrested accused were identified as Nimesh Dodiya, Mohammad Fazal Sheikh, Mohammad Asfaque Sheikh (all from Ahmedabad), Imran Karigar (from Surat) and Narendra Singh Gohil and Imtiyaz (both from Bhavnagar).
The absconding accused have been identified as Nikhil Parekh, one Rashid from Bihar and owner of Khyati Hospital Kartik Patel, who is believed to be out of India, Singhal said.
"Our probe into the deaths of two PM-JAY beneficiaries showed that the hospital management, at the behest of Kartik Patel, had hired Nimesh Dodiya, an ethical hacker, to prepare Ayushman Bharat cards of ineligible patients. For each card created through fraudulent means, Dodiya used to charge Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000," he said.
Dodiya was connected with other arrested accused who were also involved in similar fraudulent activities of preparing Ayushman Bharat cards, he said.
"Parekh helped these scamsters by providing them a master login ID of Enser Communication, an authorised outsourcing firm for making these cards. Without this ID, it was not possible to alter the source code and verify the beneficiaries using the Aadhaar number. Parekh used to charge Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month from scamsters," the JCP said.
Of the total 3,000 Ayushman cards issued using this fraudulent method, some were meant for patients admitted to Khyati Hospital, he said, adding that an investigation is underway to find out how many of these card holders have submitted their claims to avail of free treatment.
The investigation against the hospital was triggered by complaints from the families of two deceased patients, who were among seven individuals who underwent angioplasty at the hospital on November 11.
Angioplasty is a procedure that widens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart.
Patients were falsely registered under the "emergency" category to expedite government approval. In return, the hospital claimed payments from the government, police stated.
On November 12, the city's Vastrapur police registered three FIRs over the death of two PM-JAY beneficiaries due to botched angioplasty.
Police have registered three FIRs, charging the accused with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The FIRs accuse the hospital management and doctors of conspiring to obtain financial benefits under the PM-JAY scheme.
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
