Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP leader, criticized the Ayushman Bharat health scheme as India’s “biggest scam” following a Supreme Court stay on a Delhi High Court order to implement the scheme. He emphasized the need for accessible healthcare and transport, announcing initiatives like free bus rides for students, amid ongoing tensions with the Centre over healthcare reforms.
New Delhi: AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Friday (Jan 17th) launched a sharp attack on the Centre, branding the Ayushman Bharat health scheme as the “biggest scam” in the country. His comments came after the Supreme Court stayed a Delhi High Court order directing the Delhi government to sign an agreement with the Centre for implementing the scheme in the capital.
At a press conference, Kejriwal also announced new initiatives, including free bus rides for students and a 50% concession on metro fares. However, his focus remained on the Ayushman Bharat scheme, accusing the Centre of massive irregularities.
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“I am happy that the Supreme Court has confirmed that it is a fake scheme. Ayushman Bharat is the biggest scam in the country. When the central government changes and an inquiry is conducted into these scams, people will realise how big a scam Ayushman Bharat truly was,”
Kejriwal said.
His remarks follow the Supreme Court’s decision to stay a December 24 order by the Delhi High Court, which had asked the AAP government to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union Health Ministry by January 5 to implement the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
The Delhi government has repeatedly clashed with the Centre over the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The scheme, which has been rolled out in 33 states and union territories, provides financial assistance for healthcare services.
The Delhi High Court had emphasized that PM-ABHIM needed to be implemented in full to ensure that Delhi residents benefitted from the funds and facilities under the scheme. The AAP government, however, approached the Supreme Court to challenge the high court’s decision.
While addressing the media, Kejriwal reiterated his commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare and transport facilities for Delhi’s residents.
“We will continue to fight for what’s best for the people of Delhi,”
he added.
The Supreme Court’s stay has added another layer to the ongoing tussle between the AAP government and the Centre over healthcare reforms in the capital.
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