West Bengal health minister seeks financial agency probe into Swasthya Sathi irregularities
Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay has proposed handing over the investigation of alleged insurance fraud to a specialised agency.
West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay said on Tuesday that the state health department intends to transfer its investigation into alleged irregularities in the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme to a specialised financial fraud agency. According to reports from Urban Acres and The Times of India, the move is subject to approval from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
Mukhopadhyay stated that the department lacks the time and specific expertise to independently examine every dimension of the alleged financial irregularities. He noted that the roots of the issues spanning 10 years run deep and that the department has already prepared relevant files for the proposed investigation.
The minister described an initial estimate of alleged fraud between Rs 25,000 crore and Rs 30,000 crore. He alleged that the syndicate could involve various parties, including department officials, doctors, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and even relatives of patients.
Specific allegations include the use of cards belonging to deceased beneficiaries to generate bills. In one instance, a person reportedly died while receiving treatment, but records showed them being admitted for surgery several years later. Mukhopadhyay also cited alleged fraud involving false documents in the Nishchay Yaan ambulance service for pregnant women.
Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh said the administration would take action if irregularities occurred, but cautioned that the process should not lead to favourable postings for relatives of those involved. The minister has sought a meeting with the chief minister to discuss the submission of the files.