Five Days and Waiting, Politics Over CM Chair Continues in Assam
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@guwahatiplus | /c/gplusguwahati www.guwahatiplus.com Volume 08 | Issue 28 May 08 - May 14 , 2021 Price `10 34 newly elected MLAs of Assam have Three wards identified as COVID-19 In the face of the COVID-19 challenge serious criminal records hotspot in Guwahati INSIDE PG 03 PG 04 PG 08 Amid COVID Five days and struggles in waiting, politics Assam denial of insurance over CM chair claims add to continues in Assam G Plus News secured 75 seats while Congress “It is clear that either of the PG No @guwahatiplus and its allies bagged 50 in the two (Sonowal or Sarma) would be elections to the 126-member the next chief minister. I appeal woes - 02 Assam legislative assembly. The to all BJP legislators and workers inning elections counting took place on Sunday, to remain calm till a decision was easier for the May 2. is reached,” BJP state president leading partner of the A BJP state executive member Ranjeet Kumar Dass told reporters National Democratic on Tuesday. Alliance (NDA) the Sarma, whom the local media WBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than called ‘super CM’ in the last choosing the next leader of the cabinet because he held multiple government in Assam, which is portfolios, is a strong contender turning into a litmus test for the for the post. As the convener of the party. The central leadership of BJP-led North-East Democratic the party and its leaders here Alliance (NEDA), a coalition of in the state are still undecided non-Congress parties, Sarma on should they continue with wields influence across the region. incumbent Chief Minister A BJP leader who is a cabinet Sarbananda Sonowal as head of minister talking to G Plus said, the government or pick Himanta “Everything depends on the Biswa Sarma for the post. This party high command, but I feel said, the Congress has kept its Sonowalji will become the chief doors open to form a coalition minister as he is respected by all with BJP allies in Assam to form a party members and he is close to government. Narendra Modiji.” Congress leader Debabrata talking to G Sonowal has his roots in Saikia told to media said that Plus said on regional politics. He is regarded the Congress is ready to support condition of anonymity that the as a ‘Jatiya Nayak’ (state hero of anyone to form a non-BJP high command is confused as Assam), for his petition on the government in Assam. He said Himanta Biswa Sarma who is basis of which the Supreme Court As cases surge that if someone wants to form a credited for the victory of BJP had struck down the controversial non-BJP government in Assam, Assam is not openly seeking the Illegal Migrants (Determination they will get Congress’ support. CM’s post but that the latter will by Tribunals) Act, 1983 or IMDT Like Shiv Sena broke alliance neither accept any ministerial Act, on July 12, 2005. in Assam, with BJP in Maharashtra and berth nor the post of deputy chief Many BJP MLAs are thronging formed government by allying minister if offered by the party’s the house of Sarma and Sonowal with Congress and NCP, the Asom top leadership in New Delhi. and with the prevailing situation Gana Parishad (AGP) as a regional On the other hand, it is the rift in Assam BJP is visible. government mulls party of Assam might get such well known that the national The pressure on the high chance if the BJP high command leadership in Delhi have their command to control the situation does not take a decision on who confidence on Sonowal and want without increasing the rift looks would be the Chief Minister soon him to work as the chief minister inevitable. Fact remains that complete lockdown as five days have already past and for the second term. Sonowal is politics over the chief minister’s the BJP high command is yet to also known to be very close to chair continues in Assam or call make a decision. Narendra Modi which may work it the musical chair between the Full Story on PG No. 07 The BJP-led National in his favour to help him retain Sonowal and those in the Sarma Democratic Alliance (NDA) his throne in Dispur. camp. 2 Lead Story | MAY 08 - MAY 14 , 2021 Amid COVID struggles in Assam denial of insurance claims add to woes While the incumbent Finance has admitted, administered G Plus News Minister of the state Himanta some medicines, the insurer @guwahatiplus Biswa Sarma who incidentally cannot turn around and is also the Health Minister has say I will not honour the not spoken on the recent reports claim.” Referring to a patient s if the pandemic is regarding insurance claims whose claim was rejected not enough for people problems, but the fact that is by company on the pretext to worry, now getting aware of the problem surely does that the treatment could be medical treatment bills not need any guesses. The writer done at home, Jolly had this settled have become the of the news report sent him a tweet to say - “Today the insurer is latestA headache, as most people explaining the problems people telling me whether I needed have one complaint, that is have been facing, but so far he not hospitalisation or not. I am insurance companies are refusing responded. Given that Sarma is sorry that is not their job.” to settle their claims made against one of the most active ministers In the same programme, treatment for COVID-19. The and shall we say personalities in Amit Chhabra of the city of Guwahati is flooded with the state on Twitter, constantly Policybaazar.com pointed to such stories besides the denial of posting how much the state is the fact that the insurance cashless claims by most hospitals. prepared to tackle the crisis and policies are “strictly regulated In what would seem as a what facilities are available and by IRDAI and claims cannot Representative Image complete violation of the rules what has been done, one expects be rejected by the whims set by the Insurance Regulatory a response at the least. and fancies of anybody. Not tweeted saying, “Reports are to process claims and provide Development Authority of India But on the ground the situation the companies and not even being received of some hospitals cashless facilities to the insurer. (IRDAI) to ensure that the insured has been rather disturbing, with the hospitals.” Where a claim is denying cashless insurance. Once a person gets hospitalised persons are not harassed and their many people upset that they rejected it has to go through a Spoken to Chairman, IRDAI Shri the TPA needs to be informed. demands are met transparently have been denied their basic very high level committee and a SC Khuntia to act immediately. The IRDAI has meanwhile by the insurance companies, now right to treatment using a means junior employee cannot just reject In March’20 #Covid included as cautioned insurers for not being hospitals are refusing to take of financial transaction which it, Chhabra informed, adding that a part of comprehensive health transparent while deciding on patients who want to pay through is perfectly legitimate and has as per IRDAI directives “All COVID insurance. Cashless available at claims of policyholders. In a their cashless insurance facilities. to be accepted by the hospitals claims have to be settled within networked or even temporary circular issued recently Life, Just today, and coincidentally and the insurance companies. one hour of receipt of documents hospitals.” General and Standalone Health members of the news media in What is even more strange, many by the company.” The Union Finance Minister Insurance Companies as well Guwahati had a real struggle to people who have made claims Many people have cited cases had also said that the IRDAI had as TPAs the IRDAI said “Insurer get their relatives admitted to for reimbursement have been relating to the HDFC ERGO, assured that it would prioritise shall ensure that the repudiation hospitals owing to refusal by the told by insurance companies Ericson Insurance who for the settlement of COVID claims. of the claim is not based on latter to treat the patients against that they should have contacted example have cited hyper tension But if we were do a reality presumptions and conjectures.” cashless insurance cover. the insurers for advice before as a reason for not paying a 65 year check, and especially where Meanwhile, those who have Ironically, some hospitals are hospitalisation. old patient and the other saying smaller states like Assam is been involved in working in the acting at the behest of insurance Once the doctor has decided you could have done this at home. concerned it appears that many insurance sector said that even companies and denying people that a patient has to be treated Union Finance Minister hospitals apart from the regular if claims are rejected, it does not the right to affordable treatment and admitted in the hospital, the Nirmala Sitharaman had recently ones do not have TPA (Third Party mean that the process cannot be by using the cashless insurance insurer is dutybound to settle the directed the chairman of IRDAI, Administrator) and this is a major settled and in the interest of the process. The hospitals that these claim. Sachit Jolly of the Partner S C Kunthia to “act immediately” problem. The role of the TPA is policyholder. Those whose claims media persons approached were DMD Advocates said in an NDTV and ensure that there is no that of an intermediary between are not entertained or denied have told that they would “only accept programme on medical insurance denial of cashless claims by the insurer and the policyholder.