Spokesperson: Col. Rahit Chaudhry (Retd.): Addressing a press conference, Colonel (Retired) Rohit Chaudhry, Chairman of the Party’s Ex-servicemen Department, warned that if Rs.14,000 crore is not released for ECHS by January 30, Ex-servicemen will launch a major agitation in Delhi. He alleged that the Modi government was deliberately weakening the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) by starving it of funds and administrative support, adversely impacting treatment of ex-servicemen.

He stated that out of 72 lakh beneficiaries under ECHS, medical bills of more than 20 lakh ex-servicemen are pending, with outstanding dues exceeding Rs. 9,000 crores.

The AICC Ex-Servicemen Department Chairman said the Party would reach out to over 400 ECHS polyclinics across the country to collect data on pending bills as part of the month-long campaign.

Citing a CAG report, Col. Chaudhry said ECHS was launched in 2003 as a “Cashless and Capless” scheme, but is now facing a crisis due to shortage of funds, inadequate infrastructure and staff constraints. In its present form, it is neither a cashless nor a capless scheme, forcing beneficiaries to spend huge sums on treatment & medicine from their pocket and subsequently claim reimbursement, which is capped & doesn’t get paid for months.

The Congress demanded that ECHS be brought under the Chief of Defence Staff, restoration of its administrative powers, immediate clearance of all pending bills, and release of Rs. 14,000 crores to make this scheme viable & sustainable. The Party also sought legislation mandating hospitals that received land at concessional rates to provide treatment to ex-servicemen on priority as covenant exists between soldiers & nation. Friday January 2, 2026