Srinagar: Delay in issuing ‘golden cards’ under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) Sehat scheme due to the technical error in portal has deprived thousands of applicants in Kashmir from availing its benefits.
The applicants complained that their cards have not been issued yet as the authorities cited lack of manpower and technical issues for delay in issuing health cards.
“I have applied for the golden card two months ago. Despite submitting all requisite documents online, I am yet to get my card. When I contacted the CSC agent to ascertain the cause for delay, I was told that cards will be issued once online errors are rectified,” Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, a Khanyar resident told ‘Kashmir Images’.
He said there are hundreds of people like him who have applied for the Golden cards months ago and are still waiting for the same to be issued so as to avail its benefits.
When contacted State Medical Officer (SMO), PMJAY, Dr Khurshid cited technical problems in the portal for delay in issuing health cards. He, however, assured that the problem will be fixed in a week’s time.
“Actually some error has occurred in the portal which will be fixed within a day or two; I assure that people will get their health cards issued by next week. The problem not only persists in Jammu and Kashmir but throughout India,” Dr Khurshid told ‘Kashmir Images’.
He also said the golden cards are issued on priority to those admitted in hospitals but the process was mired due to the technical error in the portal.
Dr Khurshid also cited incorrect details like parentage and addresses on Aadhaar Card, and in the census, as another reason for the delay in issuing health cards to the beneficiaries.
A Common Service Centre (CSC) owner alleged that people blame them and sometimes behave badly for the delay. He passed the buck to the State Health Agency, which is the executing agency of the project, blaming it for the delay.
“People’s concerns are genuine; hundreds of people for the last two months are waiting for their health cards to be issued. Either the authorities fix error or issue a statement that the process may take time as people blame us for the delay and sometimes behave badly for no fault of ours,” he added.
A family comprising five members from Nawpora said they had applied for health cards in February this year, but cards were issued to two members only.
“My mother is a chronic diabetic who was hospitalized after her health deteriorated, she could not avail any healthcare benefit as her health card has not been issued yet. In the family of five, cards were issued to two members only,” Mohammad Yusuf from Nawpora said.
