PolityGovernance
News 9 of 20

CAG Flags 10% Excess Enrolment in Bengal's Swasthya Sathi Scheme; 2.43 Cr Families vs 2.21 Cr Ration Cards

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
28 Jul 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:2.43 crore families2.21 crore ration card holders10% excess₹5 lakh per year₹46.97 croreFebruary 2017
Bodies:CAGWest Bengal Government
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.CAG audit reveals Swasthya Sathi enrolment (2.43 crore families as of March 2023) is 10% higher than PDS ration card holders (2.21 crore as of August 2023), indicating possible ineligible beneficiaries.

2.Improper grading of hospitals: 27 super-speciality hospitals were not Grade-A (lower revenue), while 31 hospitals got higher grading than deserved, leading to excess payments.

3.State deprived of Ayushman Bharat benefits for migrants; CAG also flagged excess expenditure of ₹46.97 crore on smart card distribution and lack of grievance redressal mechanism.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The CAG has exposed major irregularities in West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme, including 10% higher enrolment than PDS ration card holders, improper hospital grading, and non-recovery of penalties. This is critical for UPSC as it tests CAG audit process, state health schemes vs Centre's Ayushman Bharat, and governance accountability.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Scheme NameSwasthya Sathi (West Bengal)
Launch DateFebruary 2017
Coverage per FamilyUp to ₹5 lakh per year, no cap on family size
Enrolment (CAG, March 2023)2.43 crore families
Ration Card Holders (Aug 2023)2.21 crore families
Excess Expenditure on Smart Cards₹46.97 crore

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Scheme Name: Swasthya Sathi (West Bengal)
  • ›Launch Date: February 2017
  • ›Target this Data: Swasthya Sathi enrolment 2.43 crore families vs 2.21 crore ration card holders (10% excess)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) - Article 148
  • ›Target this Scheme: Swasthya Sathi (West Bengal) - launched Feb 2017, cover up to ₹5 lakh/family/year

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which constitutional body conducted the audit of West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi scheme?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the CAG audit of Swasthya Sathi scheme:

1. The number of families enrolled under Swasthya Sathi was 10% higher than the number of families holding ration cards in West Bengal.

2. All 27 empanelled government super-speciality hospitals were graded as Grade-A, ensuring higher package rates.

3. The CAG noted that the state's refusal to join Ayushman Bharat deprived migrants of cashless healthcare across the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the CAG report, what was the excess expenditure incurred on enrolment and distribution of smart cards under the Swasthya Sathi scheme?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary governance concern highlighted by the CAG regarding the discrepancy between Swasthya Sathi and PDS enrolment numbers?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

WB CM Reports 23,000 CAA Certificates Issued; MHA Transfers Processing to District Collectors

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari announced 23,000 CAA certificates distributed out of 2.3 lakh applications. MHA has shifted processing from Empowered Committees to District Collectors in 8 states/UTs to fast-track citizenship grants, fulfilling a key election promise by PM Modi.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Upholds NCTE Notice: TEIs Must File Annual Appraisal Reports Under RTE Act

The Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) to require all Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) to file annual Performance Appraisal Reports. This judgment reinforces the regulatory power of NCTE, links the RTE Act's academic authority provisions, and expands the concept of 'duty-bearers' to include TEIs and NCTE itself. For exam aspirants, this is a key case in education governance, statutory interpretation, and fundamental rights.

Social Issues Current Affairs

CAG Report: ₹15.25 Cr Shortfall & ₹17.80 Cr Solatium Unpaid to Tribals in WB Mining Acquisitions

CAG report reveals West Bengal government's failure to ensure fair compensation to tribal landowners in mining land acquisitions by ECL and BCCL between 2017-22, resulting in a short payment of ₹15.25 crore and unpaid solatium of ₹17.80 crore. The report highlights systemic lapses by district authorities in implementing Coal India's R&R Policy 2012 and the LARR Act 2013.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Seeks Replies on NRC ID Cards: 3.11 Crore Await Documents, 19 Lakh Excluded

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and Assam government to respond to pleas seeking issuance of identity cards to 3.11 crore people included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 2019, while another 19 lakh excluded persons await the appeal process. This case is critical for exam aspirants as it tests knowledge of the Citizenship Act, NRC process, and Assam Accord provisions.

Polity Current Affairs

Bombay HC Directs Maharashtra to Regularise Over 450 Contractual Medical Staff, Flags Ad-Hocism in Public Employment

The Bombay High Court has directed Maharashtra to end long-term contractual hiring, specifically ordering the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation to regularise over 450 medical officers and paramedical staff who served 8–11 years on contract. The Court flagged 'ad-hocism' in public employment and linked it to the state's unemployment crisis, making this a landmark ruling for contractual workers' rights in government services.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Judge Flags Frivolous Criminal Cases, 4.27 Cr Pending, Calls for Amnesty

Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has sharply criticized the filing of frivolous criminal cases, including those over food choices, poems, and social media posts. He proposed a one-time amnesty for non-serious cases to reduce the massive 4.27 crore pending criminal caseload, highlighting systemic issues in criminal justice and policing.

Polity Current Affairs

Allahabad HC Upholds Mandatory Govt Service Bond for Subsidised PG Medical Education

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that doctors who pursue subsidised PG medical education cannot evade the mandatory two-year government service bond, even if there is administrative delay in providing posting. The court held that the bond ensures availability of doctors in government hospitals and protects patients' right to life under Article 21.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Proposes Exempting Current Class 6 from Three-Language Policy; Centre Seeks More Time

The Supreme Court has proposed exempting the current Class 6 batch from the mandatory three-language policy, suggesting implementation from January 1, 2027. The Centre has sought more time to decide, while the court has asked for details on teacher availability and infrastructure.