J&K private hospitals to suspend Ayushman Bharat services from Jul 1 over ‘unpaid dues’

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Jun 29: Private hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir have reiterated that they will be compelled to suspend dialysis, chemotherapy and all other treatments being provided under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)/SEHAT scheme from July 1, 2026, citing an acute financial crisis caused by the non-release of long-pending government payments.

The Jammu and Kashmir Private Hospitals and Dialysis Centres Association (JKPHDCA) appealed directly to the people of the Union Territory, saying the decision has been taken with “a heavy heart” after exhausting every possible option to continue services despite mounting financial constraints.

The association, in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that for months, private hospitals have continued treating beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme without charging patients, trusting that the government would honour its commitment to reimburse hospitals on time. However, it alleged that payments amounting to several crores of rupees have remained pending for nearly three years, pushing many healthcare institutions to the brink of collapse.

JKPHDCA president (Jammu Region), Sandeep Mengi, said hospitals have exhausted all available resources while trying to keep essential medical services operational.

“For months we have treated your mothers, fathers, children and elderly family members under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme without taking a single rupee from them. We believed the government’s assurance that hospitals would be reimbursed on time. Unfortunately, that promise has remained unfulfilled,” Mengi said.

He said hospitals were forced to borrow money, delay payments to suppliers and, in several cases, even defer staff salaries in an effort to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

“Today our pharmacies are running empty. We have no dialyzers, cancer medicines, surgical consumables or even adequate oxygen refills. Vendors have stopped supplying us because outstanding bills have remained unpaid for a prolonged period,” he said.

According to the association, repeated representations were made before government authorities through meetings, memoranda, press conferences and media appeals, but no concrete action has followed.

“We knocked on every door. We approached officials, raised the issue through newspapers, television debates and press conferences. Every time we were told that the matter would be resolved soon. Unfortunately, only assurances have come while the financial crisis has continued to deepen. Files do not save lives—medicines do,” Mengi said.

The association maintained that continuing treatment without essential medicines, consumables and life-saving equipment would compromise patient safety.

“A doctor without medicines is helpless, and a hospital without medical supplies is merely a building. We cannot endanger the lives of patients by pretending that we can continue treatment when critical resources have been exhausted,” the statement said.

Expressing concern for patients dependent on regular life-saving treatment, the association urged families of those undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy to immediately consult their respective hospitals instead of waiting until the end of June.

The association appealed to the public to stand in solidarity with healthcare institutions, stressing that doctors, nurses and medical staff are not responsible for the present crisis but have themselves become victims of prolonged financial delays.

It further urged people to appeal to the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate the immediate release of pending payments, saying that timely financial support would enable hospitals to replenish medicines and continue serving patients without interruption.

“We do not want to discontinue these services. We took an oath to serve humanity. We earnestly request the government to release the pending funds immediately so that medicines and essential supplies can be procured and treatment can continue. Patients should not suffer because of administrative delays,” the association said.

Warning that services under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme may cease from July 1 if no immediate intervention is made, the association said: “If hospital doors close on July 1, please remember that it was not our choice. We have been left with no alternative due to prolonged indifference and the non-release of legitimate dues.”—(KNO)

8.54 lakh J&K farmers receive Rs 170.90 cr under PM-KISAN 21st instalment

‘Produce worth Rs 28 lakh sold via e-NAM; 1.27 lakh enrolled under PM-KMY; Rs 166.67 cr paid in crop insurance claims’

Raja Syed Rather

Srinagar, Jun 29 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a key beneficiary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare’s Annual Report 2025-26, with the Union Territory registering strong coverage under several flagship schemes aimed at supporting farmers.

As per the report, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 8,54,502 farmers in J&K received Rs 170.90 crore under the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. Of them, 85,410 women farmers were provided financial assistance amounting to Rs 17.08 crore, reflecting their growing participation in the agriculture sector.

The report further states that 1,26,967 farmers from Jammu and Kashmir had been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) as of January 25, 2026, ensuring pension benefits for small and marginal farmers.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, the Union Territory recorded 11.62 lakh farmer applications covering 6.34 lakh hectares. The total insured amount was Rs 4,381.31 crore. Farmers contributed Rs 80.66 crore as premium, while insurance claims worth Rs 166.67 crore were settled in their favour, according to the report

The report states that Jammu and Kashmir recorded an increase in approvals under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)/RKVY framework, with five projects sanctioned during 2024-25 and six projects approved for 2025-26.

According to the Annual Report, 25 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and sub-market yards in the Union Territory have been integrated with the Agmarknet Portal, facilitating access to market prices and other agricultural information for farmers and stakeholders.

Jammu and Kashmir also registered inter-state trade through the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM). As per the report, traders from the Union Territory sold 33.334 quintals of produce to Jharkhand worth Rs 4.50 lakh, 234.13 quintals to Maharashtra valued at Rs 19.64 lakh, and 104.36 quintals to Rajasthan worth Rs 3.80 lakh.

The Ministry has continued special support for Jammu and Kashmir under its seed transportation programme in view of the region’s difficult terrain. The report says the Union Territory is entitled to 100 per cent reimbursement of the difference between road and rail freight charges for certified seeds brought from outside J&K, besides reimbursement of intra-UT transportation costs to make quality seeds more affordable for farmers.

The report further highlights enhanced incentives for Jammu and Kashmir under horticulture development schemes. Under the National Horticulture Board’s commercial horticulture programme, open-field cultivation projects in the Union Territory are eligible for assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh, while large-scale projects involving crops such as apples, walnuts and almonds can receive financial support of up to Rs 1 crore.

It also provides for a capital subsidy of 33.33 per cent, subject to a maximum of Rs 30 lakh, for post-harvest and infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir, considering the challenges faced by the Himalayan region.

The report notes that cases of Fall Armyworm infestation in maize were detected in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing the Union Territory under the national pest surveillance programme.

In another key development, the Ministry recommended an additional 50 days of employment under MGNREGA, over and above the existing 100 days, for flood and natural calamity-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir during 2025-26.

The Annual Report also mentions that 535 samples collected from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab are undergoing laboratory testing and hazard analysis, though no further details on the findings have been disclosed. —(KNO)