Himachal Pradesh Vigilance Bureau questions former IGMC official over HIMCARE scheme

The Himachal Pradesh State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has questioned former Medical Superintendent of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Dr. Janak Raj, regarding alleged irregularities in the Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care (HIMCARE) scheme.

The inquiry focuses on the implementation, supervision, and processing of claims under the HIMCARE scheme at IGMC Shimla. Investigators are examining the roles of various officials in verifying and generating claims, as well as the hospital’s procurement and tendering practices. Preliminary findings have reportedly raised concerns regarding procurement processes that have not been comprehensively reviewed since 2018 and instances of allegedly higher rates being applied.

Dr. Raj, a BJP MLA, stated that he appeared as a witness and is cooperating with the investigation. He asserted that no case has been registered against him and maintained that all actions taken during his tenure followed government-issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). He emphasized that the administration's priority was ensuring poor patients received treatment without out-of-pocket expenses. Following a three-hour questioning session, the SIT issued a detailed questionnaire, to which Dr. Raj has requested one week to provide a written response.