By TC News Desk
Agartala, 15th March 2025: The canteen at Tripura Medical College & Dr BR Ambedkar Teaching Hospital in Hapania has come under scrutiny for allegedly overcharging patients for food provided under the Ayushman Bharat card and the Chief Minister’s Jan Arogya Yojana. These schemes were designed to offer free health check-ups, treatment, and medicines to patients also include subsidized meals provided through hospital canteens.
Relatives of patients have raised allegations against the hospital canteen for serving meals that do not match their claimed value. For instance, the tiffin is priced at Rs 40, reportedly includes three small pieces of bread, a meager portion of vegetables made with stale peas and a single broiler egg. Calculations made by the patients’ families suggest the actual cost of this meal is around Rs 30 leading to concerns that the canteen is earning an undue profit of Rs 10 per meal. Similar complaints have been raised regarding the non-vegetarian rice meals priced at Rs 60.
One relative stated, “The quality and quantity of food being served do not justify the price. We feel helpless, as raising protests could impact the well-being of our hospitalized family members.”
The issue appears to have gone unnoticed by officials in the State Health Department and the Ayushman Branch, who, according to sources, it is believed the canteen is adhering to the stipulated guidelines. Meanwhile, the government has reportedly been making timely payments to the canteen authorities, raising further questions about oversight and accountability.
Many relatives have expressed frustration, with one person commenting, “If this continues, the canteen owner will become rich overnight at the expense of patients. This needs immediate attention from the authorities.”
The families of the patients are demanding a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the government and state officials to cancel the canteen’s tender and appoint a reliable vendor to manage operations fairly.
Calls for action continue to grow as patients and their relatives await intervention to address these allegations and ensure fair treatment under the health schemes.
