Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged malpractices in the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) in Nashik district.
Nashik Regional Commissioner Praveen Gedam will head the SIT and will comprise experts from various government departments. The announcement was made during a high-level joint review meeting of the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and MJPJAY held at the State Legislature.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Public Health Meghna Sakore Bordikar, MLA Rahul Aher, DGP Sadanand Date, and senior health department officials.
CM Fadnavis revealed that a routine inspection by the State Health Assurance Society covering the period from 2024 to 2026 flagged approximately 16,000 suspicious claims and surgeries across the state. Out of these, 9,500 cases were detected in Nashik district alone. Following initial findings, the state government has already de-panelled and cancelled the registration of five hospitals in Nashik.
He warned that a thorough investigation will be conducted by the SIT, strict action will be taken against those found guilty, misappropriated funds will be recovered, and robust measures will be implemented to prevent future fraud.
To clean up the system, the state government plans to deploy cutting-edge technology and coordinate across departments. AI and advanced analytical systems will be used to scrutinise around 13 lakh potentially fraudulent claims.
The Maharashtra Cyber Police will be integrated into the system to monitor and crack down on digital fraud within healthcare transactions. High-value medical claims and flagged accounts will undergo forensic accounting and independent audits.
According to the CM, dedicated fraud-prevention units will be established in every district, backed by an advanced dashboard system for real-time monitoring and swift action against anomalies.
The detailed briefing regarding irregularities in Nashik was presented by MLA Rahul Aher, prompting rapid intervention. CM Fadnavis reiterated that providing quality, transparent, and secure healthcare to poor and needy citizens remains the top priority of the state government, and no corruption in public health schemes will be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the demand to upgrade Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Mahuli, Jahangir, Ner, and Pingalai in Amravati district is being considered as part of the comprehensive master plan currently being drafted to expand healthcare facilities across the state.
This was shared in the Legislative Assembly by Health Minister Prakash Abhitkar in response to a calling-attention motion raised by MLA Rajesh Wankhede. MLA Harish Pimpale also participated in the discussion.
Addressing the House, Health Minister Abhitkar stated that the criteria for establishing PHCs, taluka and district hospitals, and sub-hospitals under the Public Health Department were fixed in 2013, based on the 2001 census.
Since the population has grown significantly, there is a pressing need to replan healthcare facilities according to current requirements.
CM Fadnavis has announced a vision to make quality healthcare facilities available within every five kilometres across the state. In line with this, the Public Health Department is preparing a comprehensive master plan.
The Health Minister assured that decisions will balance population data, geographical needs, and requests from public representatives.
He confirmed that the demand raised by Rajesh Wankhede regarding the upgradation of PHCs at Mahuli, Jahangir, Ner, and Pingalai in Amravati district would be included in the plan for positive consideration.
–IANS
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