Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari on Saturday, 8 August alleged that the state government's PM Shri Air Ambulance scheme had failed to benefit patients in 30 districts even as approximately ₹35 crore had been spent on the service since its launch in May 2024. Patwari demanded a full public accounting of the scheme's expenditure, utilisation, and operational reach.

Scheme Reach and Beneficiary Numbers

According to Patwari, only 159 patients had availed themselves of the air ambulance service over the past two years. Of these, 56 beneficiaries were reportedly from Rewa district alone — a concentration that, he argued, underscores the scheme's uneven geographic coverage across the state.

'Despite spending around ₹35 crore, if patients in 30 districts have not been able to benefit from this facility, the government must explain who the scheme was created for and why its benefits have not reached the common people,' Patwari said in a statement.

What the Congress Leader Questioned

Patwari raised specific concerns about whether inadequate awareness at the district level, poor coordination between hospitals and the Health Department, or procedural hurdles were blocking access during emergencies. He noted that the air ambulance service was designed to provide timely transport to accident victims, critically ill patients, and those requiring advanced medical care — particularly in regions where such facilities are not readily available.

He also flagged broader healthcare gaps in the state, including shortages of doctors and specialists and limited access to advanced medical infrastructure in rural areas.

Transparency Demands

The Congress leader demanded that the Madhya Pradesh government disclose the total expenditure on the scheme, the number of operational hours logged, actual aircraft utilisation rates, payments made to the operating agency, and the terms of the service arrangement. He further sought district-wise beneficiary data and an independent assessment of the scheme's effectiveness.

'The purpose of a life-saving service like an air ambulance should not be to create statistics or for government publicity, but to save the life of a patient during an emergency,' Patwari said.

Broader Context

The allegations come amid recurring criticism of flagship health schemes in several states where announced outlays have not translated into proportionate ground-level impact. This is not the first time the MP Congress has raised concerns about gaps between healthcare initiative announcements and their implementation. Patwari demanded that the government identify and remove any operational or procedural barriers limiting access to the service and make its financial and administrative details public.

The state government is yet to respond formally to the allegations. How officials address the district-wise coverage gap and utilisation data is likely to shape the political debate around the scheme in the coming weeks.