Overview
- Congress leader Col Rohit Chaudhry said ECHS needed Rs 13,500 crore in 2023–24 but received Rs 9,831 crore, producing arrears and service strain.
- Party leaders launched a nationwide “Save ECHS” campaign and set a January 30 deadline for release of Rs 14,000 crore, warning of a Delhi agitation if unmet.
- Demands include clearing all pending hospital dues, restoring ECHS authority under the Chief of Defence Staff, and reviving administrative powers to act against errant hospitals.
- The Hindu reported the scheme serves roughly 72 lakh beneficiaries, with outstanding dues topping Rs 9,000 crore and some empanelled hospitals curbing treatment.
- Congress alleged certain private hospitals that received government land at concessional rates were denying dignified care to veterans, and no official government response was cited.