The Delhi High Court criticized the Delhi government’s refusal to accept financial aid from the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting the poor state of healthcare in the capital. A PIL by BJP MPs emphasized the need for the scheme to address unaffordable healthcare costs. The court plans to hear the matter again on November 28, urging resolution over political differences.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday expressed dismay over the Delhi government’s alleged refusal to accept financial aid under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela called the decision “strange” and highlighted the dire state of the capital’s healthcare infrastructure.
“You may have differences of opinion, but in this case, you are refusing aid. None of your machines are working, and you have no money actually,”
remarked the court.
The matter arose from a PIL filed by seven BJP MPs seeking the implementation of the AB-PMJAY scheme in Delhi. The petition argued that Delhi was the only Union Territory yet to adopt the healthcare initiative, depriving its underprivileged residents of “essential health coverage of Rs 5 lakh.”
Chief Justice Manmohan expressed shock at the Delhi government’s stance, stating,
“Today you are refusing Rs 5 lakh for the citizens. I am shocked.”
He further criticized the state of Delhi’s healthcare system:
“I have been saying openly in court that you are virtually bankrupt. Your health minister and health secretary are not talking to each other. In that sort of a mess, you are not accepting central aid.”
The bench noted the non-completion of several hospital projects due to a lack of funds and emphasized that political differences should not obstruct welfare initiatives.
The petitioners, including Harsh Malhotra, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and Manoj Tiwari, argued that residents of Delhi faced high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, often resorting to borrowing or selling assets during medical emergencies.
The plea alleged that Delhi’s refusal to implement AB-PMJAY was “arbitrary and unreasonable,” depriving citizens of access to affordable healthcare in public and private hospitals.
“Clash of political ideologies must take a back seat in the interest of welfare of the residents of Delhi,”
the petitioners urged.
The High Court scheduled the next hearing for November 28 to allow Delhi government counsel to review the plea. The bench suggested ironing out internal differences within the Delhi administration and called for swift action to address grievances.
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The petition claimed that former finance minister Manish Sisodia had promised to implement AB-PMJAY in his 2020-2021 budget speech. However, the commitment remained unfulfilled.
Of the 36 states and Union Territories in India, 33 have adopted the scheme. Odisha is currently considering its implementation, leaving Delhi as a unique outlier.
As Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure grapples with insufficient funding and project delays, the High Court’s intervention aims to push for a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of the city’s residents over political disagreements.
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