Bansuri Swaraj Criticizes AAP Government for Hindering Ayushman Bharat Rollout in Delhi
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New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj on Thursday criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for hindering the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the national capital, asserting that the city government was intentionally denying residents access to the health scheme.
She remarked that Ayushman Bharat has been successfully implemented nationwide and has received widespread acclaim from citizens, yet the AAP administration has deliberately obstructed it due to specific political interests and agendas.
Swaraj’s remarks came after all 7 BJP MPs from Delhi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court, requesting directives for the implementation of the central healthcare initiative in the national capital.
The BJP MPs, through their PIL, sought the enforcement of AB-PMJAY in the National Capital Territory, which offers health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for all beneficiaries. The petition was lodged by Harsh Malhotra, a BJP MP from East Delhi, along with six other BJP leaders. It highlighted that by October, 33 states and union territories had adopted the 2019-launched health insurance scheme known as Ayushman Bharat.
In an interview with IANS, Bansuri Swaraj condemned the AAP government’s unwillingness to implement the scheme.
"The Ayushman Bharat scheme, initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is intended for the benefit of the populace. However, the Delhi government is refusing to implement it, demonstrating a lack of concern for public health," she stated.
Swaraj further asserted that Arvind Kejriwal's opposition to Ayushman Bharat was motivated by political agendas.
“Kejriwal engages in the politics of division, which is why he has not endorsed the scheme. Even though the Centre is offering Rs 47 crore annually to aid Delhi, the AAP government is turning it down,” she added.
The next hearing regarding this case is scheduled for December 11, 2024.
