Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma highlighted his government’s achievements in two years, contrasting them with the previous Congress government’s five-year term. In response, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the current administration’s claims of good governance, pointing out issues like the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme’s financial strain and mismanagement.
Gehlot raised concerns over the RGHS facing a financial crisis, with approximately Rs 800 crore in unpaid dues to drug suppliers. He emphasized that the delay in payments, which have been pending for six months, is adversely affecting elderly citizens and government employees with serious health conditions.
Addressing the Chief Minister’s assertions, Gehlot accused Sharma of overlooking the practical challenges faced by elderly pensioners and ailing government employees in accessing essential medicines. He stressed that the delay in settling dues under the RGHS has led to individuals resorting to costly private treatments due to unavailability of medicines through government channels.
Gehlot urged the Chief Minister to prioritize immediate payments to medicine vendors under the RGHS to alleviate the hardships faced by elderly citizens and ensure seamless healthcare services. He emphasized that the effectiveness of governance should not be solely measured by developmental statistics but also by the consistent delivery of crucial public services.
Chief Minister Sharma defended his government’s performance by highlighting advancements in infrastructure, electricity, and agriculture within two years, surpassing the Congress government’s achievements over five years. However, Gehlot argued that sustainable development should encompass not just infrastructural progress but also the uninterrupted provision of essential public services, emphasizing the detrimental impact of delayed funds on existing welfare schemes.
Reports indicate that several medical outlets have curtailed or halted the supply of medicines under the RGHS due to prolonged outstanding payments. This situation has left elderly pensioners reliant on government healthcare benefits struggling to afford expensive medications out-of-pocket. Gehlot condemned this predicament as a failure of governance and demanded prompt settlement of dues to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services for the vulnerable population.
