Mon Jun 30 17:43:16 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, now a National General Secretary of the AICC, sharply criticized the Bihar government’s healthcare system during a press conference in Patna. He cited a CAG report highlighting severe shortages in medical staff, equipment, and infrastructure. Gehlot promised that if the INDIA bloc forms the government in Bihar, they would implement the “Chiranjeevi” scheme, modeled after Rajasthan’s successful program, providing free treatment up to ₹25 lakh for all income groups. He highlighted the benefits of the Chiranjeevi scheme in Rajasthan, including comprehensive health and accident insurance. Other Congress leaders echoed Gehlot’s concerns, condemning the state of healthcare in Bihar.

**News Article:**

**Congress Promises Rajasthan-Model Healthcare for Bihar if INDIA Bloc Wins**

**Patna, June 30, 2025** – Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot launched a scathing attack on Bihar’s healthcare system today, promising a dramatic overhaul if the INDIA bloc wins the next state election. Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Gehlot pledged to implement the “Chiranjeevi” scheme, modeled after the successful program he initiated in Rajasthan, offering free medical treatment up to ₹25 lakh for all residents, regardless of income.

Gehlot cited a damning CAG report that exposed severe deficiencies in Bihar’s healthcare infrastructure, including critical shortages of medical staff, equipment, and beds in hospitals and primary health centers. “Bihar’s health system is in dire straits,” Gehlot stated, pointing to the report’s findings that a staggering 60% of sanctioned medical staff positions are vacant.

The Chiranjeevi scheme, as implemented in Rajasthan, includes comprehensive health insurance of ₹10 lakh and accident insurance of ₹5 lakh, also providing free medicines before and after hospitalization. Gehlot emphasized that the scheme significantly reduces the financial burden on ordinary citizens.

“We created the Right to Health Act in Rajasthan, guaranteeing free treatment in all emergency situations. We can bring that level of care to Bihar,” Gehlot asserted.

Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru echoed Gehlot’s sentiments, accusing the current government of turning Bihar into a “sick state.” He argued that the present government’s actions have put the health system in the ICU, a sentiment supported by Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, who alleged that even emergency patients are struggling to find beds and proper healthcare in Patna’s largest hospital.

The Congress’s focus on healthcare follows recent criticism of Bihar’s education system by senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, suggesting a broader strategy to highlight alleged failures of the current government.

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