**Summary:**
In response to concerns raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2298 regarding corrupt practices within the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare affirms a zero-tolerance policy toward misuse and abuse of the scheme. A robust anti-fraud mechanism is in place, supported by the National Anti-Fraud Unit (NAFU), which is responsible for the prevention, detection, and deterrence of irregularities. Actions taken against fraudulent entities, as reported by States/Union Territories (including Gujarat), include the deempanelment of 1114 hospitals, penalties levied on 1504 hospitals totaling Rs. 122 crore, and the suspension of 549 hospitals.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE: The Union Ministry responsible for health and family welfare policies and programs.
LOK SABHA: The Lower House of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
AYUSHMAN BHARAT: A national health scheme providing financial protection to vulnerable populations.
Gujarat: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to actions taken against hospitals.
SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana ABPMJAY: The full name of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, a national health insurance program.
National Anti Fraud Unit NAFU: Unit responsible for prevention,detection and deterrence of misuse and abuse under ABPMJAY.
States/UTs: Refers to all the States and Union Territories of India.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2298
TOBE ANSWERED ON01STAUGUST,2025
AYUSHMAN BHARATCARDS
2298. SHRIAASHTIKARPATILNAGESHBAPURAO:
Will the Minister of HEALTHAND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleased tostate:
(a) whether it is a fact that hospitals are involved in corrupt practices in the name of
Ayushman Bharat cards;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof; and
(c) the action taken by the Government against such hospitals in the country including
Gujarat?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAOJADHAV)
(a) to (c): Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is governed
on a zero-tolerance policy towards misuse and abuse and various steps are taken for
prevention, detection anddeterrence of different kindsof irregularities thatcould occurin the
scheme at differentstages of itsimplementation.A robust anti-fraud mechanism has been put
in place and NationalAnti-FraudUnit(NAFU)hasbeensetupwith the primary responsibility
for prevention,detection anddeterrenceof misuse andabuse underAB-PMJAY.
Suitable actions including de-empanelment of 1114 hospitals, levying penalty worth Rs. 122
crore on 1504 errant hospitals and suspension of 549 hospitals have been taken against
fraudulent entitiesasreported bythe States/UTsincluding Gujarat.
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