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Informist, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought a response from the Delhi government while hearing a public interest litigation seeking the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. 

 

The court also pulled up the Delhi government and its health department for poor conditions of machines in government-run hospitals. "I am surprised they are not taking central aid. Mr. Tripathi (advocate for the Delhi government), you are not accepting the money. Your health minister and health secretary are not talking to each other...In that sort of mess you are not accepting central aid," remarked Chief Justice Manmohan. Initially, the court was planning to issue a notice in the case. However, after opposition from the government's counsel, it only sought their response. 

 

The petition had been filed by Harsh Malhotra, a member of Parliament for Bharatiya Janata Party from East Delhi, and six other BJP leaders. It said that as of October, 33 states and union territories have implemented Ayushman Bharat, which was launched in September 2019. However, Delhi remains the only union territory where this necessary, noble, and beneficial health care scheme has not been implemented, uniquely depriving the covered under-privileged beneficiaries of the essential health coverage, said the petition.

 

The petition said that in the Budget speech for 2020-21 (Apr-Mar), delivered by then state finance minister Manish Sisodia, the Delhi government had announced its commitment to implement Ayushman Bharat scheme. The aforesaid clear and unequivocal commitment forming part of the budget of Delhi constitutes a promise made by the government to its residents, the petition said. 

 

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was launched in 2018 as a component of the central government's Ayushman Bharat scheme. The health assurance scheme provides coverage of INR 500,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation through a network of empanelled health care providers.

 

In September, the Union Cabinet had approved an expansion of insurance coverage benefits worth INR 500,000 for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. Senior citizens will be issued a unique card under the scheme. Additionally, those aged 70 and above, who are part of families already covered under the Yojana, will receive an extra top-up cover of up to INR 500,000 per year exclusively for their individual use. The new benefit covering senior citizens aged 70 and above, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct. 29.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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