- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:50 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
In the wake of the Ayushman Card fraud scandal, the UP State Agency for Comprehensive Health and Integrated Services (SACHIS) is set to introduce a stricter, location-based approval system to curb misuse. Under the new mechanism, officials will be allowed to approve Ayushman card applications only from their designated office locations, preventing logins from any other place.
The move comes after a major fraud involving the creation of over 450 Ayushman cards surfaced. Investigations revealed that fraudsters had changed the registered mobile numbers of five SACHIS officials and used their credentials from remote locations to issue bogus cards.
To close these loopholes, SACHIS, in coordination with the National Health Authority (NHA), will integrate location-based access into the approval software. This will ensure that no card can be created using an officer’s or employee’s ID outside the office network.
Officials will also monitor cards generated on holidays, a period frequently exploited by fraudsters. Earlier, a scam involving the transfer of Rs 9.45 crore to hospital accounts was executed during holidays. Similarly, during the recent Diwali break, the NHA portal was breached to create fake Ayushman cards. The fraud came to light when officials failed to receive OTPs required for approval after returning to work.
SACHIS CEO Archana Verma said that all identified gaps in the investigation related to card creation and payments have been reported to the NHA, and necessary updates are being incorporated into the Ayushman Bharat portal.