Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, alleging a “complete collapse” of the state govt’s payment system and urging immediate clearance of dues pending under welfare schemes and govt services.In his letter, Gehlot said payments under Rajasthan Govt Health Scheme (RGHS), CM Chiranjeevi, Ayushman Accident Insurance Scheme, social security pensions and retirement benefits have been pending for months, affecting employees, pensioners, hospitals, medicine suppliers, accident victims’ families and contractors.Calling it a matter of “livelihood and dignity of lakhs of families” rather than mere administrative negligence, Gehlot alleged that the crisis reflected “unprecedented financial mismanagement”.Citing the instance of RGHS, Gehlot claimed dues worth crores of rupees to private hospitals, diagnostic centres and medicine suppliers have remained unpaid for months. He said the situation was serious enough for Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission to take suo motu cognisance, while several empanelled hospitals have warned of restricting or discontinuing services under the scheme. He also said govt employees and pensioners are being forced to pay for treatment despite the scheme’s cashless provision, and suggested that the state provide written reimbursement guarantees to hospitals.Gehlot also alleged delays in payments under the CM Chiranjeevi/Ayushman Accident Insurance Scheme.He said retired govt employees have not received GPF, gratuity, group insurance and earned leave encashment dues for months, while social security pensions for elderly, widowed and differently abled beneficiaries were pending in several districts.Gehlot said treasury-approved bills for roads, drinking water and other infrastructure works had also not been cleared, putting small contractors and workers in distress.
