NEW DELHI: The Delhi BJP has taken its dispute with the Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP ) government over healthcare to the High Court, filing a writ petition challenging the administration’s decision not to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. State BJP president Virendra Sachdeva announced the move on Wednesday, criticising AAP and its national convener Arvind Kejriwal for “depriving lakhs” of Delhi residents of the Centre’s health insurance programme.
At a press conference, Sachdeva expressed frustration with the AAP government, alleging it had failed to deliver on its previous assurance that Ayushman Bharat would be implemented. He said that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had initially committed to the scheme in the Delhi Assembly, accusing the AAP of “going back on its promise” and denying necessary health coverage to the elderly and other eligible groups. “We will now fight a legal battle to ensure the scheme's benefits are available to those in need in Delhi,” Sachdeva said.
In response, the ex-Delhi CM defended the AAP government’s decision, asserting that Delhi’s public health infrastructure already provides comprehensive and free healthcare to its residents.
“This is not my opinion, this is what the CAG says; there are many scams in the Ayushman Bharat Scheme,” he said, referring to reported concerns from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India about irregularities in the scheme.
Kejriwal further argued that Delhi’s healthcare model eliminates the need for Ayushman Bharat, which he said only covers patients who are hospitalised. “Everything, from medicines costing Rs 5 to operations costing Rs 1 crore, is free. If medicines, tests, and treatment are all free in Delhi, then there is no need for the Ayushman Bharat Scheme here,” Kejriwal said, suggesting that PM Modi should “study the Delhi scheme and implement it across the country.”
This dispute follows recent criticism from PM Modi, who took aim at both the Delhi and West Bengal governments for choosing not to implement Ayushman Bharat in their states.
At a press conference, Sachdeva expressed frustration with the AAP government, alleging it had failed to deliver on its previous assurance that Ayushman Bharat would be implemented. He said that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had initially committed to the scheme in the Delhi Assembly, accusing the AAP of “going back on its promise” and denying necessary health coverage to the elderly and other eligible groups. “We will now fight a legal battle to ensure the scheme's benefits are available to those in need in Delhi,” Sachdeva said.
In response, the ex-Delhi CM defended the AAP government’s decision, asserting that Delhi’s public health infrastructure already provides comprehensive and free healthcare to its residents.
“This is not my opinion, this is what the CAG says; there are many scams in the Ayushman Bharat Scheme,” he said, referring to reported concerns from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India about irregularities in the scheme.
Kejriwal further argued that Delhi’s healthcare model eliminates the need for Ayushman Bharat, which he said only covers patients who are hospitalised. “Everything, from medicines costing Rs 5 to operations costing Rs 1 crore, is free. If medicines, tests, and treatment are all free in Delhi, then there is no need for the Ayushman Bharat Scheme here,” Kejriwal said, suggesting that PM Modi should “study the Delhi scheme and implement it across the country.”
This dispute follows recent criticism from PM Modi, who took aim at both the Delhi and West Bengal governments for choosing not to implement Ayushman Bharat in their states.
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