PM Modi Criticizes Delhi and Bengal Governments Over Non-Implementation of Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Date: October 29, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while launching development projects related to healthcare, criticized the governments of Delhi and West Bengal for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which offers free health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family. The scheme, now extended to cover all citizens aged 70 and above, has already benefited around 4 crore people across India. However, PM Modi expressed regret that elderlies in Delhi and Bengal cannot benefit due to the political opposition of their state governments.
Addressing the issue, Modi stated that the tendency to “oppress sick people” for political gain is against any humane principles, apologizing to the elderly in both states for not being able to assist them under the scheme. He emphasized that the government is dedicated to providing free healthcare to those in need, but political barriers in these states are preventing its reach.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi’s AAP government had previously declined participation in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, citing the state’s financial contributions and alleged credit-grabbing by the central government.