Himachal govt has discontinued HIMCARE free treatment in private hospitals, confirms minister Vikramaditya
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MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh government’s HIMCARE free treatment scheme has been discontinued in private hospitals but remains operational in government hospitals, according to Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
Addressing journalists in Mandi, Vikramaditya revealed that the scheme, initiated by the previous BJP government, lacked a proper budget allocation. “This has resulted in significant dues amounting to crores of rupees owed to private hospitals, necessitating the suspension of the scheme in these facilities.
The previous government launched the Himcare scheme without securing a budget, similar to their initiative for providing 125 units of free electricity,” explained Vikramaditya.
This had led to substantial financial liabilities for private hospitals, prompting the current government to halt the scheme in these establishments, he said. However, it continues to be available in all government hospitals.
In a related development, Vikramaditya announced a proposed new national highway from Jogindernagar to Kullu via Bhubhu Jot, discussed during a recent meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. “This highway will pass through the Bhubhu Jot tunnel, providing a significant boost to tourism in Kullu district and benefiting Mandi district as well,” he said.
Vikramaditya also highlighted the upcoming fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which aims to connect villages with populations of 100 to 200 people to the road network. The initiative would prioritise areas that had been previously overlooked, ensuring comprehensive road connectivity.
