UP official's novel idea - asks media to lodge FIR

A senior Uttar Pradesh government official today came out with a novel idea when he asked mediapersons to lodge an FIR when they pointed out anomalies in implementation of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
At a press conference called here by Health and Family Welfare Minister Ahmad Hasan, the Secretary to the Chief Minister Alok Kumar accepted that there could be anomalies like issuance of multiple health cards.
When reporters asked him as to whether any FIR has been registered against those responsible, he replied in the negative.
"There may be anomalies, some have come to my notice too ...No FIR has been registered...You (mediapersons) can register the FIR," Kumar told them.

When journalists present strongly objected to his remark, Hasan intervened stating that wherever anomalies would come to his notice, he would initiate strict action.
Earlier, Hasan said the health department, which was mired in controversy due to NRHM scam, has covered 48 lakh families within a year under the NHIS scheme by issuing smart cards.
"Miraculous results have been witnessed as 74 per cent of the claims have been settled within 30 days," he said.
He also said that 1,486 hospitals including 823 private and rest state-run have been listed under the scheme so far and added that a state-level grievance cell has been established to redress complaints, if any.