Shimla, March 28 -- The Himachal Pradesh assembly witnessed a heated exchange between chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and leader of the opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur over alleged financial irregularities in the state's flagship Himcare health scheme. While Jai Ram accused the Congress government of using false data to dismantle the scheme out of political vendetta, Sukhu defended his administration, citing internal audit findings that flagged fraudulent billing, including ovarian surgeries billed for male patients. The Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care Scheme (Himcare) was launched on January 1, 2019, by the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government to provide cashless treatment of up to Rs.5 lakh a year to families excluded from the central Ayushman Bharat scheme. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Jai Ram alleged the government was giving misleading data to justify shutting down the health initiative under the guise of "corrections". He demanded a probe by a sitting judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court into Himcare's implementation under both the previous BJP regime and the present Congress government. "From the very beginning, we have said that if there has been any misuse, it should be investigated. But instead of a vigilance probe, a HC sitting judge should conduct the inquiry. We are ready to face any investigation," Jai Ram said. He further rejected the CM's claims of large-scale corruption. He said that during the BJP's tenure, a total of Rs.441 crore was spent on the scheme. "If the total expenditure was Rs.441 crore, how can there be corruption of Rs.1,100 crore? This is completely misleading," Jai Ram argued. He countered that the Sukhu-led Congress government has already spent over Rs.900 crore while leaving liabilities pending, and is citing corruption to scrap the scheme. He also flagged concerns over inflated medical procurement rates. Later talking to the media, Jai Ram demanded an apology from CM Sukhu. "He has misled the House, the media, the people of the state. He should apologise," he added. "Whatever the CM is saying is only to defame the scheme and create grounds to close it," he added. Responding to the charges, Sukhu announced that the state vigilance department has been ordered to probe the matter. He asserted that a health department internal audit had unearthed "alarming facts". Citing specific discrepancies, Sukhu alleged that bills were generated for procedures like ovarian surgeries in the names of male patients. He said that of the total payments made, irregularities worth over Rs.110 crore are currently under active scrutiny. The CM later clarified that the Rs.1,100 crore figure mentioned earlier was a reference to the total expenditure, acknowledging it might have been a slip of the tongue. However, he said that government does not intend to scrap the scheme entirely. "Based on the audit findings, necessary corrections will be made and a new, improved scheme will be brought," Sukhu added. Later speaking to the media, CM Sukhu rejected allegations made by the opposition over the Himcare scheme,. "We have not taken any decision to shut the scheme at present, the government is exploring ways to strengthen healthcare delivery in the future. We are considering moving towards an insurance-based model and studying systems adopted by other states so that proper auditing can be ensured," he said. "I have directed a vigilance inquiry into the matter. So far, investigations at two places, including Tanda, have indicated irregularities worth about Rs.110 crore involving payments to private hospitals," he added. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging complete failure in maintaining law and order and curbing the growing drug menace in the state. Speaking in assembly Jai Ram said the government had shown "undue laxity" towards drug peddlers. "Instead of taking strict action, the government is organising walkathons and rallies to create events," he remarked. Speaking on the law and order situation in Himachal, Jai Ram claimed that 1,534 people are missing across the state. Highlighting recent incidents, Jai Ram referred to firing at a former MLA's hotel in Bilaspur and an attack on a former legislator inside a court complex....