The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has once again accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of large-scale irregularities in the Himcare health scheme. He claimed that during the previous BJP government, funds were misused through fake medical bills.
Speaking to the media in Shimla, Sukhu said that serious cases of fraud have come to light during an ongoing investigation. He alleged that fraudulent claims were made under the Himcare scheme, which was launched by the earlier government led by Jai Ram Thakur.
According to the chief minister, an internal audit has already pointed to a scam of around ₹110 crore. He said that the government has found several suspicious cases where medical bills were allegedly created for treatments that never actually took place.
One of the most shocking claims made by Sukhu was that records showed surgeries being billed for “men’s uteruses,” which is medically impossible. He said at least four such cases have already been identified.
The chief minister described these findings as serious and regrettable. He added that the government is conducting a detailed inquiry to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud.
The Himcare scheme was designed to provide free healthcare services to low-income families who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Jan Arogya Yojana. It was considered an important welfare programme for people who could not afford medical treatment.
However, Sukhu said that misuse of the scheme has raised concerns about its effectiveness and transparency. Due to these issues, the state government is now planning to replace Himcare with a new insurance-based model.
He said the aim is to create a system that is more reliable, transparent and beneficial for the public.
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The allegations have led to a political confrontation between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP. Responding to Sukhu’s claims, Jai Ram Thakur denied all accusations and said the current government is trying to shut down the scheme by spreading misinformation.
Thakur also questioned the chief minister’s statement about “hysterectomies on men.” He said that the medicines mentioned in those cases were actually used for cancer treatment, and the government was presenting facts incorrectly.
Apart from the Himcare issue, Sukhu also criticised the BJP for not supporting the state on financial matters. He accused the party of failing to stand with Himachal Pradesh on the issue of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which he described as the state’s rightful claim.
The chief minister said that the opposition is more focused on politics than on the welfare of the people.
He also addressed concerns about local elections in the state. Sukhu assured that elections for panchayats and urban local bodies will be held before May 31. This comes after the BJP accused the government of delaying the polls for political reasons.
On the economic front, Sukhu responded to criticism that the state is facing financial stress. He said his government is taking steps to improve the financial condition of Himachal Pradesh and move towards self-reliance.
He added that measures being taken by the government should not be seen as budget cuts but as efforts to strengthen the economy in the long term.
In conclusion, the Himcare controversy has become a major political issue in Himachal Pradesh. While the government claims to have found evidence of fraud, the opposition has strongly denied the allegations. The ongoing investigation will play a key role in determining the truth and shaping the future of healthcare schemes in the state.
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