Mumbai: A large number of private hospitals empanelled under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) — which covers over 1,600 medical and surgical procedures — are reeling under financial strain as the Maharashtra government has failed to clear pending bills worth over Rs 182 crore. The dues have remained unpaid for several months, with many hospitals claiming that payments have been stuck since last year.

Smaller Hospitals Worst Hit

According to official data, of the 1,792 hospitals participating in the scheme, 1,144 are private. The backlog has hit smaller hospitals the hardest, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where MJPJAY beneficiaries form a major share of patients.

Many hospitals are now reluctant to admit new patients under the scheme due to uncertainty over

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