The Union Health Ministry has indirectly admitted that it failed to take action for two years even as four private hospitals in Hyderabad went on milking the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) through inflated bills.The Indian Express had first reported the collusion between the CGHS and corporate hospitals in Hyderabad in looting the Health Ministry. In reply to a question by R. Manjhi in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session, Health Minister S. Swaraj said the Government had taken notice of the reports in The Indian Express and cited a special audit and an inquiry by Dr T.K. Banerjee held over two years ago.Though Swaraj claimed action was being initiated against offenders, it is business as usual in Hyderabad with the hospitals still on CGHS rolls.Swaraj went on to add: ‘‘Fresh recognition of private hospitals under CGHS, Hyderabad has been done by the Government following a transparent process’’. Though the Banerjee report had submitted enough evidence of over-billing by the four hospitals, they continue to be on the fresh list of recognised referral set-ups.The ministry also admitted that the matter has been referred to the CBI. In response to a question by Bimba Raikar in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Health Ministry A. Raja only said the CBI would conduct a ‘‘detailed investigation.’’In another disclosure, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Delhi has, admitted that the file pertaining to irregularities and the Banerjee report had been submitted to the Vigilance Division of the Health Ministry ‘‘long ago for getting the matter inquired into by the CBI.
