Jaipur, April 6 Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said on Monday that the delay in payments to hospitals under the state government's health scheme has led to disruptions in medical services and has forced patients to bear heavy expenses.
Gehlot said that payments worth around Rs 1,000 crore are outstanding, due to which private hospitals have started charging beneficiaries under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme.
"Some hospitals have stopped providing treatment under the scheme. Pensioners and retired employees are among those affected. The government should clarify the timelines for clearing the dues," he told mediapersons.
He said the situation in the medical sector is "serious" and people are facing hardships due to the lack of clarity from the government.
Gehlot also expressed concern over crop losses due to unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and changing weather patterns. He urged the government to ensure timely compensation to farmers to prevent further distress.